S.H 

Sakura stared at the piece of card in my hands. 

It was beautifully made, silver letters swooping gently across the firm card, decorated with pink and red blooming flowers. 

"I can't believe you're actually considering going," a voice said in disbelief. She looked up to see a pair of baby blue eyes staring at her. "Wasn't it just last night you were a complete mess just from looking at Sasuke?"

"Ino, I know you mean well," Sakura began. "But I need to do this. I need to face my fears, and confront them. I don't want to live in fear of them anymore."

"Bu-"

Sakura interrupted the blonde. "Besides, getting over Sasuke isn't the only reason why I might be going. I'm going to be Izumi's bridesmaid as well."

"What?" Ino's jaw dropped. "I did classes with you two as well! But I'm not bridesmaid!"

"Ino," chided Hinata, popping into the conversation. She took a seat on a stool that surrounded the kitchen bench they were all talking over as Tenten cooked dinner. "I took classes with Izumi as well, but you don't see me complaining. Mind you, I probably got invited just because I'm a Hyuuga."

"Yeah," injected Temari, taking a seat as well. "At least you were invited, Ino. Tenten and I can't even go to the wedding of the year, so shut it."

"Ha!" Ino stuck her tongue out at Temari. "Not even invited! Loser!"

An irk mark appeared on Temari's head as she suddenly stood up. "Why you, pig!"

"You'll be at home while we're having the party of our life!" Ino cheekily grinned.

Temari scoffed and rolled her eyes. "It's just some party. Who cares."

"You," giggled Ino. 

The Suna model scowled. "I do not!"

Everyone in the kitchen, including Tenten, bursted into fits of laughter. Sakura smiled, glad that Shikamaru wouldn't destroy the friendship between Temari and Ino. 

Oh shoot, Shikamaru. 

That reminded her of something. He said that he will send photos of the guy Ino was going to be set up with and a little introduction. That was over a day ago!

Sakura swiftly jumped off from her chair and walked towards her bedroom, already unlocking her phone. When the others looked at her weirdly she gave a simple excuse. "Toilet."

Sighing, she check the unopened messages from Shikamaru. A picture and a little paragraph about the mysterious man. 

His name is Sai, 25, a new model for Senju, Sakura read silently in her head. Starting out in the Konoha division and Japanese. Sai's staying with me and the others at a Senju apartment. He's a real funny guy and brutally honest. He's up for the set up with Ino. 

Sakura bit her lip as she made her final evaluations. If he was a model, then Sai must look good. There was no need to check the photo, Sakura thought. It's not like Sai was going to be someone she knew, right?

Shikamaru mentioned that he was funny and honest. A perfect description of Ino. Those two sound like a match made in heaven. 

"Sakura!" Tenten's voice seeped into the room. "Dinner's ready!"

The pinkette grinned at Tenten's motherly behavior. "Coming!"

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

S.U 

Sasuke twirled the delicate invite with his fingers absent-mindedly, his mind wandering to a certain pinkette.

He hoped she would come to his brother's wedding, but then again, he shouldn't get his hopes up. He did hurt her badly, after all. The number one regret of his life. 

"Sasuke."

The said person glanced up to see his father looking at him from across the table, wearing his signature frown and scowl. Fugaku Uchiha looked pointedly at him. "We are discussing your brother's wedding. Try to concentrate."

"Yes, Father," Sasuke sighed wearily. The wedding of their first son has gotten both Mikoto and Fugaku on edge. Everything had to be absolutely perfect, and if it wasn't, it could not be tolerated. The ravenette sat up straighter and examined one of the many sheets of paper scattered on the wooden table. "How many people are coming?"

"About three hundred," answered Itachi, looking at another piece of paper. He tossed it aside carelessly towards Fugaku, and Sasuke caught sight of a few red lines through people's names. "I don't want it to be too public." 

Sasuke nodded. Media is always annoying. "Understandable."

"Why did you cross off Kiba Inuzuka?" Fugaku suddenly cut in after glancing at the paper Itachi had thrown aside. 

"Because there is a possibility Sakura Haruno is coming," Itachi replied swiftly. Sasuke felt all the pairs of eyes in this room, including the maids, turn on him. He cleared his throat, and everyone glanced away. 

Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "So?"

"Father, Kiba and Sakura just broke up," Itachi informed him in an exasperated tone. "If they both come, they're likely to encounter each other. Imagine how awkward that would be.

"Besides, we can discard Kiba off the invite list easily," Izumi added. "I would like Sakura to become a bridesmaid for me. 

"The Inuzuka family is extremely prestigious and well known," Fugaku stated. "Not only are they in the modelling industry, but the police industry as well. It would be good for our reputation, where else that Haruno girl wouldn't. Apologies, Izumi, but I can't have a dropout in my heir's wedding."

Anger started seeping into Sasuke. Why did his father always have to get in the way of their happiness? "The only reason she dropped out was because of your twisted plan."

"Not this again, Sasuke," Mikoto looked at him pleadingly. Sasuke ignored his mother and stared at Fugaku straight in the eye. "Not you too, Fugaku."

Fugaku glared back, his back straightening up. He clearly didn't intend to back down from an argument like a coward. "The 'twisted plan' could've ensured us more money and a better reputation if you followed through. The Uzumakis are undeniably rich and-"

"Stop!" yelled Sasuke, standing up and slamming a fist onto the table. Fire raged in eyes. "Why do you always see people as their wealth and looks and reputation, rather than for who they are? Why? Tell me why!"

Fugaku didn't flinch at all. "Sasuke Uchiha, sit down now. I look at those things because a person can impact another. One sick rat will spread its disease to other rats. The same can happen to us humans. Everything you do creates a ripple. Conversation ended. Now Itachi, Izumi, which cuisine for the wedding would you like?"

Sasuke let out an exasperate sigh and ran a hand through his hair. No matter how much he brought up this argument, Fugaku would always end it the same way. Sasuke was sick and tired of his reputation-obsessed, money-loving father. 

And to think that everyone else could continue on with the conversation as if nothing had happened. Despicable, thought Sauske in anger. Itachi and Izumi both glanced at Sasuke, the only ones showing concern. Fugaku continued to ignore Sasuke and started at the elder brother, waiting for Itachi's answer. "Itachi. Answer me."

"Oh, um," Itachi turned his head and eyes away from Sasuke and towards his future wife seated besides him. "Anything will be fine. Do you have any preferences, Izumi?"

Sasuke watched as they shared thoughts but didn't speak audibly but rather just from making eye-contact. Izumi nodded at Fugaku. "Japanese, if that's alright."

A strange emotion filled Sasuke as he witnessed the special connection between Izumi and Itachi. Jealousy. He wasn't jealous of Itachi getting married to Izumi, but instead jealous of the special connection they shared together. How precious that would be. Sasuke wished he could have something like that.

But, alas, Fugaku had torn all chances for Sasuke to be with the one he wanted to be with out of his hands. 

"Sasuke," the youngest Uchiha glanced up to see his mother smiling at him, her arm resting on his. "I think you should go home. After all, you've had a lot on your plate. If that's alright with you, Fugaku."

The look in Fugaku's eyes showed Sasuke that he was not happy with Sasuke at all. Sasuke mentally rolled his eyes. 

"You're free to go."

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

"Teme!"

Naruto greeted him as he entered through into the Senju apartment. It was the same standard design as all other Senju apartments, only Sasuke thought that this apartment was a little more messier. Courtesy of Naruto, of course. 

Sighing, Sasuke sat down on the couch carelessly, a can of Coke in his hand as he surveyed the scene going on in the apartment. Sai, the new model of Senju and Neji were both on the couch as well watching an anime titled 'Your Name'. Shikamaru was on his phone at the dinner table, most likely playing only Shogi with Asuma. 

"I take it the wedding meeting didn't go well?" Neji asked, his eyes still glued onto the screen. Sasuke shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. The Hyuga's pale eyes flickered the Sasuke. 

"Don't ask."

"Alright," he sighed, leaning back onto the couch. 

"Alright!" repeated Naruto, but in a totally different tone. Excitement dripped off his upbeat voice as he marched in front of the TV, much to Sai's and Neji's complaints. "Guys, what do you think of this outfit?"

I glanced over the outfit. It consisted of some black Adidas track-pants with an white t-shirt with a black necklace with an orange swirl pendant. The outfit was paired with some casual Vans. "Good. Casual. What's the occasion?"

"Date with Hina-chan," Naruto blushed while rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. At this, Hinata's cousin stopped complaining and fixed an icy stare on the blonde.

"Uzumaki," he growled. "If you touch her without her consent-"

"I know, I know," Naruto groaned in exasperation. "I'll get sued, then get sent to jail. I've got it from the past hundred times you've threatened me."

"Just in case you forget," Neji lifted up his nose snobbishly. Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at this situation that had occured probably more than a hundred times before. "Don't give me that look, Uchiha."

"What look?" Sasuke dropped all signs of his smirk from my face. The brunette rolled his eyes and started going on his phone. 

"Well," Naruto smiled, closing his eyes as he exited the room. "I'll be off!"

"Good riddance," I heard Sai mutter under his breath. He noticed onyx eyes were on him. Sai gave Sasuke a smile. "Just kidding."

"Sasuke," Shikamaru called out to said person. He crossed the room and joined everyone on the couch. "I need your help."

"I'm setting Sai with someone," Shikamaru began. 

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Ino," Shikamaru answered briefly. The other eyebrow went up.

"Your ex?"

"Yes, my ex," Shikamaru nodded, showing no emotion. "The blonde one I had a fling with after highschool. Sakura's best friend."

"And why exactly do you need my help?" Sasuke said, also showing no emotion at the mention of the Haruno's name. 

"I need to keep on eye on Sai and Ino with someone," informed Shikamaru. "To make sure they both keep out of danger, you know."

"If 'keep out of danger' means spy on their date," Sasuke took a sip from his soft drink. "Then, yes. But, why me?"

"'Cause you're like a ninja, man," the pineapple-haired man stared at Sasuke, baffled. "Did you not know? You and your brother, always creeping up on people like a freaking ninja. Scares the hell out of me."

"Any other reasons besides that stupid one?" Sasuke swayed the can, swishing to Coke inside. What was it with everyone associating ninjas with Uchihas? 

"Neji has a photoshoot to go to," Shikamaru began explain, unfazed by Sasuke's jibe. "Naruto's getting a tuxedo fitted for Itachi's wedding."

"And from the other dorm?" Sasuke asked, not forgetting the other group of five male models.

Shikamaru sighed and began counting them off. "Gaara and Kankuro have to head back to Los Angeles for a shoot, Lee is not stealth material, Choji's being treated to lunch by Asuma and Kiba, well, ever since the Haruno drama, he's been getting into alot of arguments."

"Did you know that while he was still with Sakura," Neji began, butting into the conversation. "He tried to hit on Hinata? What a jerk."

"That's why Sakura got mad at Kiba and dumped him," Shikamaru said thoughtfully. "Sakura told me. The media has it the other way around because of the idiot."

"You're talking to Sakura?" Sasuke found himself saying. Shikamaru and Neji stared at him.

"That's what you get out of this conversation?" Neji rolled his eyes again. "My cousin was nearly harassed!"

"We are talking," Shikamaru said carefully. "As friends. Nothing more."

"Just ignore what I said," Sasuke grumbled, not even knowing why he would care that Shikamaru and Sakura talked once. "Moving on, I agree to accompany you to spy on Sai and Ino. You owe me some cola and tomatoes."

"Deal," Shikamaru grinned.

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

S.H 

"Should I wear this? No, this? Or that? Hmm, that doesn't match. But what if- nah. That's ugly."

Clothes laid strewn across the room as Ino chucked them out of the closet, looking for the perfect outfit for her date with Sai. Apparently, even if you have a closet filled with designer clothes, you still think some ensembles are ugly. Sakura mentally shook her head, willing for Ino to hurry up. 

"Ino," growled the pinkette. "Are you done? Just wear that outfit you bought today."

"Great idea, Sakura!" Ino snapped her fingers, and she dashed into the bathroom, clutching a bag from the mall. "I'm so dumb!"

Honestly, Sakura rolled her eyes just as she received at text from Shikamaru. She read the message before smirking to herself and typing a reply. 

"Done!"

Sakura quickly shoved her phone into the pocket of her biege trench-coat as Ino flung herself out of the bathroom, her hands in the air and her face adjusted like she just won a competition. The blonde twirled around, showcasing her outfit to Sakura. 

It consisted of high-waisted baby blue jeans that ended just before white stilettos. Her sparkling satin black crop-top with spaghetti straps showed off her body and curves. It was exposed by an unzipped white, Nike wind jacket that brought a casual, sporty look to the outfit. white  Ino's blonde hair was pulled back into a neat bun, putting her big, golden hoops on display that matched the Pandora rings on her fingers. 

It was perfect, in Sakura's eyes. It showed Ino's personality, energetic yet elegant with touches of pride and recklessnes. But of course, since they had a love-hate friendship, Sakura couldn't let Ino know that she simply adored the outfit. The pinkette stuck her nose in the air. "It's alright, I suppose."

"I know you think it's perfect," smirked Ino, picking a biege Mimco purse up. "I can see it in your eyes. I mean, who wouldn't think that this is perfect?"

"Ino, we better go soon," Sakura stood up and adjusted her outfit. Handpick by Ino, it was made up of a white blouse tucked into a pink pencil skirt. Her exotic hair was tied into a loose braid down the side. It made her look like a 'badass spy who works for herself and only herself', the words of Ino. "Your date is in what, twenty minutes?"

"Chill, Sakura," Ino headed out to the door. "It's near our apartment. It's a cupcake place, you know the By The Way Bakery. I've been dying for one of their cupcakes for ages. I hope Sai likes cupcakes."

"Who doesn't?" Sakura said. 

A certain bluenette popped up when they were talking. "Good luck on your date, Ino!"

"Thanks, Hina," Ino gave her an eye-smile. "Don't tell anybody I said this, but I'm really nervous."

"You'll be fine," Sakura squeezed her shoulder gently. "You always are. Just let your natural charm shine through. You got all the boys back in high-school, remember?"

"But, Sakura," Ino paused for a second, worry filling her eyes. "That was before Shikamaru. I really loved him, Sakura, even though it was just a fling. I'm not sure if I can-"

"You will move on," Sakura said in a commanding tone. "C'mon, Ino. I'm sure this Sai person is a great guy. At least be open to the idea."

"I am, it's just," Ino looked down at her feet, biting her lip. "I'm scared that I will get heartbroken again."

"If Sai breaks your heart," the Haruno growled. "I guarantee I will punch him to the next universe."

Hinata shuddered. "Nobody should have to face the wrath of Sakura."

"Thanks," Ino smiled brightly. "For reassuring me. Now, let's go! I have a date!"

The bestfriends giggled to each other as they headed out to the bustling upper east side of New York.

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

Please don't be a silent reader <3

REMEMBER...VOTE...COMMENT...SHARE!!!

Word count: 2818