The wedding took place in the square in front of the Hokage Building.
The cherry blossoms had faded, but the sunshine was lovely and the breeze was gentle.
A red carpet stretched from the steps of the Hokage Building to the center of the square, with flower baskets lining both sides. The white and pink flowers looked especially vivid in the sunlight.
Shisui stood on the stage, the Sixth Hokage's white cloak fluttering gently in the breeze.
He was officiating today.
It should have been the Third, but he had said, "Let the young people handle a young couple's wedding," and given the role to Shisui.
Shisui had protested briefly before accepting the task.
Shion and the Princess of the Land of Snow stood at the other end of the red carpet, sunlight falling over them.
Shion's hair was pinned up, revealing her slender neck. Her earrings were part of the dowry sent from the Land of Demons, their emerald-green gems sparkling in the sunlight.
The Princess of the Land of Snow wore a long veil that trailed along the ground, embroidered with the Land of Snow's national flower.
A six-pointed snowflake.
Her expression was calm, but her fingers had gone white around her bouquet.
Shion glanced at her and spoke softly.
"Nervous?"
The Princess of the Land of Snow gave a quiet hum of assent.
"Me too."
Naruto stood on the stage, his expression serious.
Today, none of those little mannerisms that belonged to "Naruto Uzumaki" were on display.
At that moment, he was simply a groom waiting for his brides.
Minato and Kushina sat in the front row.
Jiraiya sat beside them, properly dressed in a kimono, his expression more solemn than ever.
Iruka sat beside Jiraiya.
The music began, and Shion and the Princess of the Land