Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Second Chance ❯ Mirror Mirror ( Chapter 7 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A/N: I see you. … tomorrow.

Mirror, Mirror

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

Her long hair was now brushed out and curled to waves at the bottom, falling a little over her shoulders. There were two diamond clips in her hair pulling the untamed strands from her face apart and a small antique silver tiara carefully positioned in her hair.

`The tiara came with the veil,' she mused.

She looked lovely. Her wedding dress just as perfect as before and freshly pressed from the cleaners. Light makeup adored her face and her nails were freshly cut and manicured to perfection.

She was ready.

…Or so that was what she kept telling herself.

She let out her 20th sigh.

Already bored, Haruno Sakura was carefully brushing out her long mane over and over in the same spot that it looked like the strand of hair was about to rip off or worse, threaten to ruin the stunning hairdo.

After the two hundredth vicious swipe, she gently put the brush down and proceeded to mindlessly stare into her own reflection.

Sitting in a white vanity table, staring at her reflection in the circular mirror, she couldn't help but think that she was losing it.

It was all she was doing nowadays. Days away from her wedding day she was found just cooped up in her room moping. There was no other word for it but moping.

If you looked closely, you would see the shadow of a doubt drifting beneath her eyelids.

She was shaking.

She was nervous.

She was uncertain.

She was shocked when Sasuke wanted an actual wedding. She always predicted that he would have wanted the whole 2 witnesses, city hall marriage kind of thing.

Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.

She was tired… But she never felt more awake. It was the strangest sensation, tingling her skin.

Drumming her fingers on the table she nervously tried to smooth out her already wrinkle free dress.

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

Humming, a pretty young lady stared at her reflection in the mirror.

It was time.

Tucking a neatly wrapped package under her arm, containing some silver spoons, Hyuuga Hinata made her way across the estate to where a particular man lived.

“Now to see if he's ready.” She smiled, picking up her pace.

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

An attractive blonde came into the room.

She was wearing a magnificent pale green dress ascended with light colored, almost camouflaged, spring flowers. It was basically a spring dress.

Her hair was braided up into 2 braids at the side like pigtails and they wrapped around each other, pulled back with multiple hairpins.

“Sakura, are you ready? The wedding will start any minute now!” She said joyfully. “Well… I have to go and help out the wedding planners for a sec… okay? I'll come back.”

She was excited. It's not everyday your best friend gets married.

It was almost like… she was being extra happy for Sakura. Which was very odd.

What happened to her the past few days?

She changed.

It was… as if she didn't want to get married.

“Sakura?” She questioned, worried about the spacey look she was receiving.

It was when she got no reply, did she really begin to freak out.

“Sakura?” She called.

“…”

“Sakura?” She questioned when she saw her zoned out expression.

“It's nothing,” she said, taking a momentary glance at the antique grandfather clock positioned across the room.

It was 4 o'clock.

The wedding was in 2 hours.

The bride to be let out a sigh, “Go. I'll be alright,” she answered, waving her hand.

As soon as the blonde woman left the room she picked up the hairbrush again, and the whole cycle repeated itself.

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

He was debating whether or not to attend the ceremony.

Currently, he was in his casual clothes. His tuxedo daintily hanging opposite of him on his clothes rack. He was lying on the bed, his tuxedo taunting him with unwanted memories.

He had the full intention to run after the dazzling girl and claim her as his own, but he was beaten to it. He was waiting patiently in the shadows, hidden. Unknown to her he was listening to the whole conversation she and the traitor were having. He wanted to punch the wall.

She forgave him. He was such an idiot. Here he was waiting in line, hoping that she would see him for what he was, but all the while, he was just a replacement for the Uchiha, the mere thing she played with to pass the time until his reluctant return.

He was there always, wanting for her.

And he really did believe that she might have had love him as well.

Damn the stupid girl who had stolen his heart.

He closed his eyes and stayed there in an on going conscience.

He smirked bitterly.

… And she didn't even have the decency to return it.

He stared at the ivory embedded card that sat on his counter and gave a snort, looking back at what it said.

…

Hyuuga Neji

You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of:

Haruno Sakura

Uchiha Sasuke

June 20

6:00 pm

Monument Cathedral

…

He was baffled as to the point of why Sakura would give him an invitation to the love of his life's wedding.

He almost laughed at the thought.

He was going to go… right?

He let out an irritated sigh, one of many he had given this evening.

Even though he had promised to attend, he was still wavering in his decision.

What on earth made the woman think that he wanted attend?

Why did she want him to be there?

Who in the world would want their ex-boyfriend at their wedding?

He let out another sigh and began pinching his nose, trying to wear off an unwanted migraine.

He wasn't going to go.

Period.

End of sentence.

Stapled.

What would cause the young bride to want him there?

He was of no use to the wedding.

He wasn't going to go.

“Tch, this is so annoying.” He mumbled, sneaking a glance at the plain card taunting him. He let out his final sigh before rolling over to his side.

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

It was 5 o'clock.

She was getting married in an hour.

Just one more hour!

She was staring at herself in the mirror, butterflies roaming her stomach, and a million things running through her mind. All of which made her more and more nervous.

Someone popped in her room from time to time, to check up on her.

“Heh,” she snorted. “More like make sure I don't get cold feet.”

She stared down at her feet and moved them around. They sure didn't look cold from her point of view…

She let out another sigh and collapsed on a chair cupping her hands around her face. She gently ran her fingers through her smooth hair and took a deep breath.

Ugh… She was still nervous.

Stupid wedding traditions! They were making her nervous, for god sake!

She studied herself in the mirror.

Hmm… She was starting to see some wrinkles.

Damnit to hell! All her worrying was making her age!

She let out another sigh and straightened out her dress, letting it fall to the floor. It was really quite beautiful.

She played with the fabric for a while longer before a small little chant popped into her head.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

Oh my. She had totally forgotten about that!

It was an old bride's tradition to wear something old, new, borrowed and blue to her wedding day.

She inertly groaned at her stupidity.

What shame! She had always been one for traditions. She lived for them! Having forgetting something as major, yet foolish, as this, was just plain… humiliating.

And she called herself a bride! Sheesh!

Quickly she took a fast skim of what she was wearing.

`Hmm… something blue…'

“Check.” She playfully combed back a few bits of hair to display the pair of glittering sapphire earrings. “The earrings.”

`Something borrowed…'

Hmm… This was going to be trickier than anticipated. She took a quick look at her surroundings… She didn't really have anything borrowed, unless you count the clear nail polish she had on her toes… but that didn't count… did it? She had to ask Ino about this.

She made herself a mental note and moved it to the top of the pile.

… Moving on.

`… Something new…'

“Check. The dress. Like Duh.” She couldn't help but burble sarcastically.

And finally…

`Something old…'

“My something old…”

Thump.

She quickly turned her head at the interruption. She started to squirm in her seat and moved towards the door, fidgeting with her hand. Someone was coming up the stairs.

“It's probably Ino,” she told herself.

With the bride's tradition forgotten, Haruno Sakura moved toward her dresser, waiting for her best friend's arrival.

Her eyes skimmed towards a simple white card that was sitting on the table.

Her eyes took in the image.

It was the wedding invitation.

An unpleasant memory all of a sudden popped into her mind. She actually had to decide whether or not to invite him. She frowned. She had always thought that the decision would come naturally.

Of course he would be there.

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

Sealing invites.

Many days ago…

`Should I give Neji-kun one?'

`I should…'

`No… I shouldn't.'

`I'm not going to.'

“Sakura, hurry up!”

She clicked her tongue. God! This stupid blonde was so annoying!

Neji…

She stared at the neatly printed envelope in front of her.

`Would he come?'

She shook her head and laughed.

Of course he wouldn't.

She lay the paper down and crossed his name off the wedding invitation list.

There wouldn't be a point to invite someone who wouldn't show up. “It'll just be a waste of trees.” She concluded.

She roughly shoved her book to one side and stared at the crossed out name on her list.

It was unnerving.

She always imaged Neji to be at her wedding… knowing that he wasn't going to be there bothered her.

This was… odd.

Before she could change her mind she hurriedly picked up her pen and wrote down to Hyuuga Neji on the envelope and folded and licked the invitation shut.

She grabbed all of the papers in her arms and ran to the door and presented them to Ino to give out.

She quickly ran the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead and closed the door. She slowly dropped down onto the floor and almost immediately regretted her decision.

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

She invited him.

She did it.

But would he come?

She had the nagging suspicion that he wouldn't.

`I really want you to be there Neji-kun.'

`It wouldn't be the same without you.'

`Please come.'

“Ah.”

She stopped when her mind replayed her earlier actions.

Did she really call him?

She thought about her phone call.

Did she really want him to be here?

“Yes.” She said with confidence. “Of course I want him to be there. Without a doubt, he has to be here.”

She checked the clock and noticed that it was now 5 past 5.

He should be here by now.

She let out a smile at the thought of him seating down on the bride's side - her side.

It was the first smile she let out the whole day.

She started to pace the room. She was bored, and she really just wanted to see him now.

There.

It was decided.

She was going to see him.

It was bothering her that she never asked him his opinion on the fact that she would marry Sasuke.

She turned in her tracks and paced herself towards the white door -

“Sakura.”

Her pacing stopped when she saw her best friend's head pop in through the door.

“Hey Ino,” she merrily greeted.

The blonde let out a giggle, “Hey yourself! Look who's getting married!” She teased.

“Yeah…” she mumbled.

She ignored the weird look Ino gave her for her none to enthusiastic attitude about the idea.

“Um… I was wondering if you could do me one last minute favor?” She asked timidly.

“Huh? What on earth do you need now, Forehead?” She questioned.

“Well… I was just wondering if you could take a quick look around at the guests…” she said logically.

The maid of honor took on a puzzled expression. “Why?”

“Well… I don't know. I just want to know how many people are here and whatnot.” She said casually, while trying to conceal her eagerness.

“But why?” she questioned again.

“Because… I just want to know if everyone has arrived or not.”

“But why?”

She let out an annoyed growl. “Just because.”

“Because why?” She let out a small chuckle, congratulating herself for rifling up her dearest best buddy.

“Because…” Sakura growled, “Just because.”

“But wh -”

“FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF HE'S HERE OR NOT! GOD DAMNIT!” She screamed.

“Aha!” the blonde announced, shaking her head slightly to get the ringing noise out of her ear. “I knew it! You want me to go and see if Neji's here don't you?” She said intelligently.

She saw Sakura walk towards her mirror and twiddle her fingers together. “Yeah,” she confessed.

She frowned. “But Sakura… you shouldn't be -”

“Please.” Sakura begged. “Please just check for me. I just want to talk to him before I get married.

“Okay.” She murmured.

“Thanks Ino.” She whispered.

She gave a swift nod and began to leave but before she could turn around a hand grabbed her wrist and small fingers slipped off the silver bracelet that was around her wrist.

Ino turned around and gave Sakura with a curious stare.

“My something borrowed.” She said proudly.

“Thief.” She grinned.

The two best friends smiled at each other.

“Tell him to come up here will you?”

“You didn't even have to ask.” She said, leaving the room.

Now alone she walked towards the dresser and stared at the plain silver card. Without even thinking, she concisely laid it flat down.

“…Thanks Ino…”

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

“Neji-san?”

“NEJI!” A voice boomed, annoyed with being locked outside.

“What?” he hissed at the intruder, his head peeping into the opening of the door. “Hinata-san!” He bowed, “I'm sorry. I didn't think it would be -”

She silenced him with a hand. “Shouldn't you be ready?” she asked, staring at his messy hair.

“I'm not going.” He stated. He was sure Hinata was going to smack him for his words, but surprisingly, he found that nothing happened. She just remained silent and looked at him with sorrowful eyes.

“Neji-sama consider attending, kay?”

He let out a sigh, “I already told you -”

“Just think about it,” her stern voice having broken him off.

“I already have.”

“Tsk.” She let out a small smile. “No you haven't.”

He stared right into her calculated eyes. `And she knew this… how?'

“Neji, you're going to regret this you know.” She paused for affect and pushed herself past him, inviting herself into the home.

“I already regret it.”

She stopped and turned around to face his stoic face. He was too stubborn. She ignored his slight twitch and continued. “She loves you, you know?”

She saw his eyes hallow out and his expression turn into a lost confused state.

“I know… Trust me…”

It was okay, his eyes spoke to her, questioning her into telling him how she possibly knew.

“I see the way she looks at you… The way she always steals a second glance at you when you're not looking, the way she still smiles at you whenever you walk by her. It's the same way I was with Naruto…”

With her last plea she hoped she could knock some sense into him.

“Please Neji, don't forget about love. Don't forget about her… Come. She would want that.”

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

Two men were busy facing a mirror putting on their ties.

One was calmly tying the knot before running his hands through his smooth hair and the other one was struggling and choking on his dangerously tight tie.

“Idiot.” The striking man hissed at the imbecile standing in front of him. He roughly untangled the tie off and forced it into the dense moron's hands.

“Go ask Hinata to put on the tie for you.”

“Neh… Sasuke-bastard, she isn't here yet.”

He spared a peek at his best man. “I'm not doing it,” he stated bluntly.

“B-But the tie!” He whined.

“Shut up dope,” he said, making sure that his tux was on properly. “Ask one of the bride's maids then.”

“They all aren't here yet.” He grinned, trying to shove the tie into his hands.

“Wait for them then.” The groom stated obviously.

The best man nodded his head in agreement and started to dust off his clothes.

“Who would have thought that you would get married,” he let out a grin, “to my Sakura-Chan no less!”

He let out a smirk. “Ah.”

“Wow… She probably looks beautiful right now… not that she doesn't normally,” he said dreamily. “But damn! She probably looks like a goddess now!”

The Uchiha let out another smirk, imagining what his new bride looked like.

He turned his head swiftly when he saw a blonde head pass by in the mirror.

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

“Sakura!” Ino yelled, stumbling into her room.

“What?” She screeched, panicking. “Is something wrong?”

The blonde nodded her head.

“What? What is it? Is it about the wedding?” She walked quickly towards her and knelt down in front of her. “What's wrong?”

“Sakura! Neji… he…”

She held her breath when she heard his name… She nodded her head for the blonde to go on.

“Oh… I'm sorry Sakura… Hinata just arrived and…”

“What is it Ino?” She spat out, wanting answers, “what happened to Neji-kun?”

“I'm sorry Sakura-Chan,” she said sad. “… He's not here.”

Her whole world tumbled over at these words.

“He's not here?”

Her best friend gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, “Hinata just arrived and Neji wasn't with her…” Ino gave the bride a worried look when her best friend decided to walk over to the same mirror on the wall.

The young bride stared at herself in the mirror, unmoving.

After a long pregnant pause, a hurt whisper was heard.

“He isn't coming… is he?”

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

“Naruto, you must be more careful.” A shy girl scolded the young hyperactive man who was currently sporting a new bruise.

“Neh, Hinata…” the one called Naruto whined, “It wasn't my fault! It was the stupid bastard's! I didn't do anything, honest.” He said goodheartedly, defending himself.

Hinata let out an annoyed sound and began to unknot his painfully tight tie. “There, all better.” She smiled at him.

Naruto felt his face turn red and he ducked his head so the unsuspecting woman wouldn't see his blush. “Yup, thanks Hinata! You're the best!” he grinned up at her.

Now it was her turn to start getting nervous. “Than - thank -” She swallowed her stammer. “Don't mention it.” She said kindly, avoiding his eyes.

He cheekily grinned up at her. “Um… Say Hinata,” he said nervously. “I was just, I mean - I heard.”

“Yeah, go on…” she nodded.

“Well… the thing is…” he looked up at her uncertainly. Now was his chance! He couldn't blow it now! `Be strong Naruto,' he egged himself on.

Hinata was staring up at him to finish. Never in her life was Naruto so nervous around her.

He cleared his throat once before continuing. “Ahem, I heard that they just invented a flavor ramen… Wait, no…” he blushed at his obvious lack of grammar. “What I mean is… that they inventedanewflavoroframen!”

“Um - Erm… I'm sorry Naruto… I didn't quite catch that.” She replied warily.

He banged his head as hard as he could onto the glass table. `Be cool, you're cool.' He gulped and took a deep a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “Yeah… well, I meant that I just found out that there is a new flavor of ramen.” He tried and failed to appear casual.

“Yes…” she beamed.

`It's now or never! You can do this!' He mentally urged himself to go on.

“And well, I was just wondering…that if you want… maybe… we can…”

“Yes?” she grinned at him, telling him to continue…

“Well I,” his brow was sweating. “Maybe we could, if you want…”

`Just do it already you big baby!'

“Will you come with me to try it?” he said quickly, sweating afterwards.

Hinata's eyes widened for a second before a smile took a hold of her face and she blushed crimson. “Yes.” She said gently. “Of course I will.”

Naruto's expression turned to one of out most glee.

The two stared at each other, hiding their blushes and wearing identical grins.

Even after married and together, the couple still had a few things to learn… They were still shy around one another.

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

He isn't coming is he?

He's not here…

He's not coming…

He doesn't want to come…

Why?

Why Neji-kun?

After you promised me…

Why did you have to lie?

She was staring at her reflection, lost in thoughts…

And I never got the chance to tell you…

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

She looked down, trying to stop her tears.

This was no time to cry, especially for something so silly.

So what if he isn't here?

A gazillion other people were.

Right?

RIGHT?

She let out a soft sigh. She had to practically shoe out the worried bride's maid before she smothered her to death. Now alone she couldn't help but think how empty her wedding day was.

She stole another peek at the clock. She had to start preparing. She was getting married, damnit!

45 minutes…

Three fourths of an hour…

2700 seconds…

Tick.

She had only 45 more minutes…

She rubbed her forearms and walked towards the balcony window.

Weddings were always delayed by a bit… weren't they?

It was decided. She couldn't have the frozen Hyuuga miss her wedding day. Even after he promised her that he would come. He had some nerves…

Haruno Sakura was about to do something crazy…

Running toward the shut wooden door, she locked it. She felt satisfied when she heard the soft click.

She was going to get him. If he didn't come by his own will, then she would just have to drag him here by force.

She grinned. It was decided… In fact, she didn't even have to decide anything. She should have done this from the very beginning.

Scribbling a messy note to Ino, she took one last look at her room.

She was going to come back.

She couldn't leave Sasuke like that.

She loved Sasuke-kun…

Didn't she?

Scolding herself for thinking of such things, her feet moved fast, trying to make up time.

She only had 40 minutes.

Talk about doing things last minute!

Praying that it would be Ino and not Sasuke that would discover her absence first, Sakura took a deep breath and imagined the very prompt lecture about manners she would soon be receiving by her dear old mother about not leaving your own wedding.

As she bravely jumped out of the third story window, Sakura let out a gasp.

She just remembered something very important.

…

She didn't have anything old.

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

Ino almost had a heart attack when she entered the abandoned room… How the hell was she going to explain this?

She had spent almost half an hour to force the locked door open and now it had come to this. She groaned… She didn't want to be the person to spoil everything. She didn't want to be the one to call off the wedding.

“Why Sakura?” she whispered into the wind. “Why now?”

She walked towards the dresser and was surprised to see a note hanging from the mirror she saw Sakura in a few minutes ago. She frowned at its message.

Scribbled in messy blue handwriting were 3 words.

“Wait for me.”

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

He wasn't going.

He wasn't goin -

“Ugh!” He groaned clutching his forehead. Why did this have to be so hard?

“Neji-sama, just think about going kay?”

Think about it?

There was nothing to think about.

He turned over and laid down in silence for a couple of minutes before he heard footsteps approach his door.

He let out an irritated groan. He already told Hinata-sama that he was going to think about going, what else did she have to bother him with?

He angrily walked towards the door to let the nosy woman in.

“Hinata, I thought I told you - ” he started when the door cracked open. “…” He could only stare dumbfounded with who was one the other side.

The figure at the door gave him a small smile and his heart started to pound.

“Hey.” She greeted.

Sakura…

A/N: OMG, today I watched Pride and Prejudice! The movie was so awesome! I loved it! Sigh… It was… so… romantic. (I'm a sucker for lovey-dovey things.) Well… if you ever happen across the movie - watch it. It's so sweet.

If you have noticed… the chapters just seem to get longer and longer. I really hope you enjoy them; I'm trying to end it soon. Although… I wish that I planned out the plot and story line a little bit better… oh well, that can't be helped.

The truth is, I'm waiting for a certain number of reviews and hits before I update. Sorry. I'll try to do the whole monthly; every other week update… and I guess I'm sticking to that.

Updates are basically random.

Happy Clicking.

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Bunny POWER!