Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Flight of the Wounded Dove ❯ Ceremony ( Chapter 13 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Shaeya Sedjet Namir 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.18.2007 | Updated On: 06.21.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 476 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.18.2007 | Updated On: 06.21.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.1K | Visits: 476 | Status: Work In Progress
A Note From Sedjet: Hello, friends! I know I haven't posted a chapter in...WAY too long. I was finally able to get myself motivated for the wedding chapter. So...here it is!
Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming to own any sort of right to Rurouni Kenshin! I just like to pretend that I am god and bend the characters to my will. Mwahahaha!!! Ahem. Kenshin and his friends actually belong to Noburhiro Watsuki.
Flight of the Wounded Dove
Chapter Thirteen:
Ritual
The morning of the wedding came too soon and took everyone by surprise. The Kamiya dojo was in an uproar with Tae running back and forth between the kitchen and Kaoru's bedroom. Kaoru pleaded for peace and solace, but Tae would hear none of it. She insisted on a traditional ceremony all the way. This meant that there would be a ritual washing of Kaoru's body. In addition, Megumi, Misaou, Tae and Tsubame would dress her in her wedding kimono.
It was bad enough that Tae was still fuming about the color of Kaoru's kimono. She insisted that Kaoru should have chosen a white kimono rather than red—white being the color of the traditional shinto wedding kimono.
Megumi had had enough of Tae's grumbling and leveled the woman with a wry look and an upraised eyebrow. “Tae, there is nothing traditional about this union, no matter how hard you try. The kimono suits her, Kenshin approves and she will look stunning. Let. It. Go.” When Tae's would have argued, Megumi sniffed the air, “Is something burning?” Tae shrieked and fled to the kitchen. Megumi smiled smugly and went back to coiffing Kaoru's hair into the traditional style. She knew very well that nothing was burning, she simply wanted a reprieve from Tae's constant chatter. “As much as that woman had to drink last night, you would think she would have a little less energy,” Megumi mutter around a mouthful of hairpins. She secured the twin phoenix combs into the hair at either side of Kaoru's head, just above and behind her ears. When she was satisfied with Kaoru's appearance, Megumi stepped back slightly.
“My, my, Tanuki! You clean up well. Who knew?” Kaoru's eyes narrowed with a deadly gleam. “Now, now, Kaoru! You know I am teasing you. You look stunning and you are nowhere near being done yet.
Kaoru paled visibly. Already, she had been forced to be bathed by four women who then rubbed scented oils into her skin “to bring prosperity” to her marriage. Then, she was forced to stand for the better part of an hour as Megumi teased, combed, yanked and waxed her hair into submission. Next, they would force her to endure a makeup session. Her face was to be painted the traditional white of a shinto bride—not quite as white as the geisha, but softer. She was sure she was going to look as if she had stuck her face into a flour sack. Then, they would line her eyes with kohl, paint her lips red and lightly rouge her cheeks. It seemed her torture would never cease as Tsubame handed the brush and paint to Megumi.
~*~ In the living room, Sano was pacing, Hiko was staring at Sano like he was crazy, and Yahiko had crawled under the table to sleep off his hangover. Kenshin and Aoshi were meditating on the deck outside Kenshin's room.
“What is Kenshin doing? He needs to get ready!”
“He has three hours, Chicken Head. It will take them the better portion of that time to get his bride to be dress and primped and painted. There is no sense in forcing him into uncomfortable formal wear until it is absolutely necessary. You are behaving like a woman.”
Sano stopped mid-stride and attempted to think of a witty comeback. What came out was: “Yeah? Well, you look like a woman!” In a very childish tone.
“You are completely hopeless,” Hiko muttered.
~*~
Two hours later, Kaoru looked at herself in the full length mirror as Megumi yanked on her obi cloth to make sure would be as tight as it could be without causing the bride to pass out. The bride to be hardly recognized herself Her face was powder-white and her lips had been painted in the traditional style: the top lip bowed and one tiny ribbon of color on the bottom lip. Her ebony hair was piled on top of her head in graceful swoops and curves. With her red kimono and pale, white face, Kaoru realized she probably looked like a geisha. The thought made her pale under her already pale makeup. Should she have listened to Tae and chosen a traditional, white kimono? What if everyone thought she was a prostitute. It was bad enough that the people of the village thought she was unclean for taking in two male borders as an unmarried woman. What if this made things worse?!
Kaoru was pulled out of her reverie by another yank of the obi. Tae gave her hands a gentle squeeze, steading her so that she was not thrown off balance. She reached up and rapped Kaoru between the eyes with a makeup brush. “Stop that! Stop thinking whatever it is that you are thinking. Today is going to be perfect. You are marrying the man you have been pining for the better part of five years! What more could a girl ask for?” She grinned devilishly and winked at Kaoru. With all of the food prepared and stored for the gathering afterward, Tae had nothing left to do but fuss over Kaoru.
The bride in question heard the shoji slide open and turned her head slightly to the side. Tsubame slipped into the room quietly. “Tae, you said that I should come tell you when the carriage arrived.”
Tae clapped her hands together, “Splendid!”
Megumi muttered something about impeccable timing and gave one last tug on the yellow obi.
Kaoru's mouth gaped “Tae! You didn't have to bother with hiring a carriage! I am a healthy young woman and fully capable of walking!!!”
“And get your wedding kimono dusty? I think not, young lady! Now, put on your okobo.”
Kaoru grimaced. She hated these shoes. Only maiko wore the blasted things and she did not see why she couldn't just be like other brides and wear normal geta. Whatever the reason, Tae had commissioned a pair of the platformed sandals with gold filigree and had forced her to learn how to walk in them. As Kaoru stepped into the ridiculous shoes, she said a silent prayer that Tae had begun teaching her how to walk in them a month early. If she had not, the young bride would have fallen on her face before she got into the temple!
Once the finishing touches had been done to Kaoru's hair and makeup, the women piled carefully into the carriage. Tae fussed with Kaoru about how she should sit as to create the least amount of wrinkles possible on her kimono. Kaoru just rolled her eyes and prayed that the carriage ride would be over soon. She didn't know how much more of this her nerves could handle.
Vaguely, Kaoru wondered how Kenshin was fairing. He must have had it easy. Certainly men would be less fussy than this gaggle of women!
~*~
Kenshin was standing in the groom's holding room, waiting to be told the when the ceremony would start. It was a struggle for him to maintain his sanity as Sanosuke fussed over him, picking invisible lint from his formal gi and hakama, which were a deep, sombre blue. Hiko was already drunk and babbling about his baka deshi being all grown up and marrying for love. Kenshin cringed inwardly. He did not want to be reminded of his marriage to Tomoe today. When Hiko passed out for a few minutes, Kenshin knew his prayers had been answered. Now, if only Sanosuke would stop wringing his hands like a nervous woman. He smiled bemusedly. If things were this bad for him, he could not begin to understand what Kaoru was having to go through. The thought sobered him. In only a few short moments, he would be binding himself to the woman he had loved for five years. Kenshin had never thought that this could happen to him. The kami had somehow decided that he was worthy of some measure of happiness and had led him to Kaoru. He realized then, that protecting Kaoru at all costs had allowed him to atone for his many transgressions. He smiled to think that they would have the rest of their lives together. They would have babies together and grow old together.
“Oi! Kenshin!” Sanosuke exclaimed. “It's time. The priestess said it is time! C'mon! You don't want to be late!” Sanosuke led him out the door by the arm.
Yahiko stared at Hiko and shrugged. He poked at the drunken man with his foot and received only a grunt for his troubles. The spiky haired youth saw a basin out of the corner of his eye. He knew there would be some special corner in hell just for him if he were to use the blessed water to wake up Hiko, but he could not resist. He grabbed the basin and upended it over the drunken swordsman. The lush in question sat upright, eyes wide. As he gathered his wits about him, his gaze narrowed on Yahiko who quickly hid his basin behind his back.
“Er—ahem--the ceremony is about to begin?”
“We'll talk about this later, boy.” Hiko grunted.
Yahiko grinned inwardly. Later, the drunkard would be passed out under a table.
~*~
In keeping with the wishes of the couple, it was a small ceremony. There were only a handful of people in attendance: Dr. Genzai and his granddaughters, Aoshi and Misao, Megumi and Sanosuke, Tsubame and Yahiko, Hiko and, of course, Tae.
“You are really the only mother figure I have known, Tae.” Kaoru murmured as they waited to enter the sanctuary. Megumi, Misao and Tsubame had already gone in, leaving Tae to escort Kaoru to meet Kenshin at the altar. “I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me in these last few months.”
“Kaoru, I swear if you make me cry before this ceremony, I will beat you with a wooden spoon!” Tae bawled.
Kaoru laughed. “One of us has to cry and it cannot be me. My makeup would run and Kenshin would too, once he saw me!”
Tae giggled. “Oh, Kaoru! I was wondering if I would ever see this day. We have all been waiting so long for the two of you to come to some sort of common ground about your feelings! I think I am as happy as you are!”
Kaoru shook her head carefully, being mindful of her elaborately styled hair. “I can assure you that you are not as happy I am, Tae. I was ready to kill him or myself if something did not happen soon!”
In the sanctuary, the priest began to chant and Tae collected herself. “It is time, my dear. Are you ready?”
Kaoru's clear blue gaze locked on the older woman's. “I have never been so ready for anything in my life.” she answered truthfully.
“Then let us go to your warrior.”
Hiko grunted Kenshin. “It is time, baka deshi.”
Kenshin nodded, then looked closer at his mentor's apparel. “Sensei, are you wet?”
Hiko grunted and muttered about baka deshi of baka deshi and headed out of the corridor into the sanctuary proper, leaving Kenshin no choice but to follow. The young groom struggled to face forward and not seek out his beloved. He knew that she would be emerging from the corridor on the opposite side of the sanctuary, but it was considered rude not to pay attention to the priest while he was performing the ceremony. However, once she was within his line of sight, he could not take his eyes off her. She was exquisite in the kimono he had chosen for her. She walked with a fluid grace she had no idea she possessed. He had observed her practice with the okobo and had wondered if geta would have been a better choice, but she had proven him wrong.
As they knelt beside each other at the altar, Kenshin had to resist the urge to reach for her hand. To do so would be considered improper. So, he simply knelt beside her, listening to the chanting of the priest. The priest laid his blessings upon their union and motioned for two priestesses in white gi and red hakama to bring forth the sake cups. It was time for the san san kudo*, the ceremony of three times three. Kenshin and Kaoru were to each take three sips from three sake cups stacked one inside the other and then pass them to their 'family' members as witnesses of their union.
The older priestess arranged the cups on the altar and made a graceful bow as she offered the sake pitcher to Kenshin. The younger priestess took Kaoru's hand and placed it with Kenshin's on the pitcher. As Kaoru's hand joined Kenshin's on the pitcher, he could not help but feel that Hiko would definitely enjoy this part of the ceremony.
Together, they poured the sake into the tiered cups. A peaceful smile found its way to Kenshin's face as he watched the cups gradually fill with the clear liquid. Once the cups were filled, they set the pitcher down on the altar and Kenshin picked up the first cup. He sipped from it three times before passing the cup to Kaoru. Upon his first sip of sake, the ex-assassin noted that sake no longer held a bitter taste for him. Finally, he knew what Hiko had meant about being bitter sake. If your sake was bitter, there was something missing in your life. Kenshin had only been able to enjoy the rice wine once, just before Tomoe's death.
His smile was soft as Kaoru accepted the cup. She took it in her delicate fingers and placed her lips over the spot where Kenshin's own lips had kissed it. A shiver ran down Kenshin's spine and raise the fine hairs on his arms as Kaoru's sapphire eyes gazed at him from the pale white mask of her makeup. Her eyes glowed with a mature knowledge that he would not have credited her with before. Kaoru placed the cup on the tray offered to her by the first priestess. When the second cup was passed, Kenshin took a sip. His fingers brushed Kaoru's as he offered her the cup, turning it so she could place her lips where his had been moments before. He could see the smile she his behind the cup and an answering smile blossomed on his lips as his heart swelled with pride.
Only after the couple had taken three sips from each of the three cups did the older priestess offer the cups to each witness who also took three sips from each.
When the san san kudo was completed, the couple turned turned to their respective witnesses and took the branches of sakaki**, placing them on the altar. This was their peace offering to the gods to ensure that they had a safe and happy marriage.
Once the ritual was completely, the priest bid them turn around and greet their family and friends and Mr. and Mrs. Himura Kenshin. It was almost too much for Kenshin, this feeling happy feeling that he could not act upon. He wanted to laugh; he wanted to shout; he want to scoop Kaoru into his arms and hug her tightly to him before the gods and everyone present. However, he would have to contain himself until they were alone, and if all the food Tae had made that morning was any indication, they would not be alone again for quite sometime. So the once feared Hitokiri Battousai contented himself with gazing lovingly at his wife.
He heard Tae gushing about the lovely ceremony and Hiko's muttered response about there not being enough sake. Kenshin gave in and chuckled a bit, wondering how it was that he managed to find redemption in the eyes of the gods. How else could he have been blessed with such a wonderful family and a woman he was never sure he deserved?
TBC...
Author's Note: Ok. So that wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It's been almost a year because I've been putting it off and putting it off. I didn't want to leave this fic unfinished. By the gods, I am determined to finish at least one of my fics! We're reaching the end, kids! I only have one or two more chapters of this, depending on whether not I want an epilogue. We'll see how things go.
*http://www.japaneseweddingfavors.com/wedding_sake.htm
* *http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/japanese_wedding_ceremony_2.ht ml
Most of the ceremony is completely from my head. I could not find very detailed information concerning traditional Japanese weddings, so I took the skeletal components I was able to find info on and fleshed things out a bit. I hope you enjoyed it!
Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming to own any sort of right to Rurouni Kenshin! I just like to pretend that I am god and bend the characters to my will. Mwahahaha!!! Ahem. Kenshin and his friends actually belong to Noburhiro Watsuki.
Flight of the Wounded Dove
Chapter Thirteen:
Ritual
The morning of the wedding came too soon and took everyone by surprise. The Kamiya dojo was in an uproar with Tae running back and forth between the kitchen and Kaoru's bedroom. Kaoru pleaded for peace and solace, but Tae would hear none of it. She insisted on a traditional ceremony all the way. This meant that there would be a ritual washing of Kaoru's body. In addition, Megumi, Misaou, Tae and Tsubame would dress her in her wedding kimono.
It was bad enough that Tae was still fuming about the color of Kaoru's kimono. She insisted that Kaoru should have chosen a white kimono rather than red—white being the color of the traditional shinto wedding kimono.
Megumi had had enough of Tae's grumbling and leveled the woman with a wry look and an upraised eyebrow. “Tae, there is nothing traditional about this union, no matter how hard you try. The kimono suits her, Kenshin approves and she will look stunning. Let. It. Go.” When Tae's would have argued, Megumi sniffed the air, “Is something burning?” Tae shrieked and fled to the kitchen. Megumi smiled smugly and went back to coiffing Kaoru's hair into the traditional style. She knew very well that nothing was burning, she simply wanted a reprieve from Tae's constant chatter. “As much as that woman had to drink last night, you would think she would have a little less energy,” Megumi mutter around a mouthful of hairpins. She secured the twin phoenix combs into the hair at either side of Kaoru's head, just above and behind her ears. When she was satisfied with Kaoru's appearance, Megumi stepped back slightly.
“My, my, Tanuki! You clean up well. Who knew?” Kaoru's eyes narrowed with a deadly gleam. “Now, now, Kaoru! You know I am teasing you. You look stunning and you are nowhere near being done yet.
Kaoru paled visibly. Already, she had been forced to be bathed by four women who then rubbed scented oils into her skin “to bring prosperity” to her marriage. Then, she was forced to stand for the better part of an hour as Megumi teased, combed, yanked and waxed her hair into submission. Next, they would force her to endure a makeup session. Her face was to be painted the traditional white of a shinto bride—not quite as white as the geisha, but softer. She was sure she was going to look as if she had stuck her face into a flour sack. Then, they would line her eyes with kohl, paint her lips red and lightly rouge her cheeks. It seemed her torture would never cease as Tsubame handed the brush and paint to Megumi.
~*~ In the living room, Sano was pacing, Hiko was staring at Sano like he was crazy, and Yahiko had crawled under the table to sleep off his hangover. Kenshin and Aoshi were meditating on the deck outside Kenshin's room.
“What is Kenshin doing? He needs to get ready!”
“He has three hours, Chicken Head. It will take them the better portion of that time to get his bride to be dress and primped and painted. There is no sense in forcing him into uncomfortable formal wear until it is absolutely necessary. You are behaving like a woman.”
Sano stopped mid-stride and attempted to think of a witty comeback. What came out was: “Yeah? Well, you look like a woman!” In a very childish tone.
“You are completely hopeless,” Hiko muttered.
~*~
Two hours later, Kaoru looked at herself in the full length mirror as Megumi yanked on her obi cloth to make sure would be as tight as it could be without causing the bride to pass out. The bride to be hardly recognized herself Her face was powder-white and her lips had been painted in the traditional style: the top lip bowed and one tiny ribbon of color on the bottom lip. Her ebony hair was piled on top of her head in graceful swoops and curves. With her red kimono and pale, white face, Kaoru realized she probably looked like a geisha. The thought made her pale under her already pale makeup. Should she have listened to Tae and chosen a traditional, white kimono? What if everyone thought she was a prostitute. It was bad enough that the people of the village thought she was unclean for taking in two male borders as an unmarried woman. What if this made things worse?!
Kaoru was pulled out of her reverie by another yank of the obi. Tae gave her hands a gentle squeeze, steading her so that she was not thrown off balance. She reached up and rapped Kaoru between the eyes with a makeup brush. “Stop that! Stop thinking whatever it is that you are thinking. Today is going to be perfect. You are marrying the man you have been pining for the better part of five years! What more could a girl ask for?” She grinned devilishly and winked at Kaoru. With all of the food prepared and stored for the gathering afterward, Tae had nothing left to do but fuss over Kaoru.
The bride in question heard the shoji slide open and turned her head slightly to the side. Tsubame slipped into the room quietly. “Tae, you said that I should come tell you when the carriage arrived.”
Tae clapped her hands together, “Splendid!”
Megumi muttered something about impeccable timing and gave one last tug on the yellow obi.
Kaoru's mouth gaped “Tae! You didn't have to bother with hiring a carriage! I am a healthy young woman and fully capable of walking!!!”
“And get your wedding kimono dusty? I think not, young lady! Now, put on your okobo.”
Kaoru grimaced. She hated these shoes. Only maiko wore the blasted things and she did not see why she couldn't just be like other brides and wear normal geta. Whatever the reason, Tae had commissioned a pair of the platformed sandals with gold filigree and had forced her to learn how to walk in them. As Kaoru stepped into the ridiculous shoes, she said a silent prayer that Tae had begun teaching her how to walk in them a month early. If she had not, the young bride would have fallen on her face before she got into the temple!
Once the finishing touches had been done to Kaoru's hair and makeup, the women piled carefully into the carriage. Tae fussed with Kaoru about how she should sit as to create the least amount of wrinkles possible on her kimono. Kaoru just rolled her eyes and prayed that the carriage ride would be over soon. She didn't know how much more of this her nerves could handle.
Vaguely, Kaoru wondered how Kenshin was fairing. He must have had it easy. Certainly men would be less fussy than this gaggle of women!
~*~
Kenshin was standing in the groom's holding room, waiting to be told the when the ceremony would start. It was a struggle for him to maintain his sanity as Sanosuke fussed over him, picking invisible lint from his formal gi and hakama, which were a deep, sombre blue. Hiko was already drunk and babbling about his baka deshi being all grown up and marrying for love. Kenshin cringed inwardly. He did not want to be reminded of his marriage to Tomoe today. When Hiko passed out for a few minutes, Kenshin knew his prayers had been answered. Now, if only Sanosuke would stop wringing his hands like a nervous woman. He smiled bemusedly. If things were this bad for him, he could not begin to understand what Kaoru was having to go through. The thought sobered him. In only a few short moments, he would be binding himself to the woman he had loved for five years. Kenshin had never thought that this could happen to him. The kami had somehow decided that he was worthy of some measure of happiness and had led him to Kaoru. He realized then, that protecting Kaoru at all costs had allowed him to atone for his many transgressions. He smiled to think that they would have the rest of their lives together. They would have babies together and grow old together.
“Oi! Kenshin!” Sanosuke exclaimed. “It's time. The priestess said it is time! C'mon! You don't want to be late!” Sanosuke led him out the door by the arm.
Yahiko stared at Hiko and shrugged. He poked at the drunken man with his foot and received only a grunt for his troubles. The spiky haired youth saw a basin out of the corner of his eye. He knew there would be some special corner in hell just for him if he were to use the blessed water to wake up Hiko, but he could not resist. He grabbed the basin and upended it over the drunken swordsman. The lush in question sat upright, eyes wide. As he gathered his wits about him, his gaze narrowed on Yahiko who quickly hid his basin behind his back.
“Er—ahem--the ceremony is about to begin?”
“We'll talk about this later, boy.” Hiko grunted.
Yahiko grinned inwardly. Later, the drunkard would be passed out under a table.
~*~
In keeping with the wishes of the couple, it was a small ceremony. There were only a handful of people in attendance: Dr. Genzai and his granddaughters, Aoshi and Misao, Megumi and Sanosuke, Tsubame and Yahiko, Hiko and, of course, Tae.
“You are really the only mother figure I have known, Tae.” Kaoru murmured as they waited to enter the sanctuary. Megumi, Misao and Tsubame had already gone in, leaving Tae to escort Kaoru to meet Kenshin at the altar. “I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me in these last few months.”
“Kaoru, I swear if you make me cry before this ceremony, I will beat you with a wooden spoon!” Tae bawled.
Kaoru laughed. “One of us has to cry and it cannot be me. My makeup would run and Kenshin would too, once he saw me!”
Tae giggled. “Oh, Kaoru! I was wondering if I would ever see this day. We have all been waiting so long for the two of you to come to some sort of common ground about your feelings! I think I am as happy as you are!”
Kaoru shook her head carefully, being mindful of her elaborately styled hair. “I can assure you that you are not as happy I am, Tae. I was ready to kill him or myself if something did not happen soon!”
In the sanctuary, the priest began to chant and Tae collected herself. “It is time, my dear. Are you ready?”
Kaoru's clear blue gaze locked on the older woman's. “I have never been so ready for anything in my life.” she answered truthfully.
“Then let us go to your warrior.”
Hiko grunted Kenshin. “It is time, baka deshi.”
Kenshin nodded, then looked closer at his mentor's apparel. “Sensei, are you wet?”
Hiko grunted and muttered about baka deshi of baka deshi and headed out of the corridor into the sanctuary proper, leaving Kenshin no choice but to follow. The young groom struggled to face forward and not seek out his beloved. He knew that she would be emerging from the corridor on the opposite side of the sanctuary, but it was considered rude not to pay attention to the priest while he was performing the ceremony. However, once she was within his line of sight, he could not take his eyes off her. She was exquisite in the kimono he had chosen for her. She walked with a fluid grace she had no idea she possessed. He had observed her practice with the okobo and had wondered if geta would have been a better choice, but she had proven him wrong.
As they knelt beside each other at the altar, Kenshin had to resist the urge to reach for her hand. To do so would be considered improper. So, he simply knelt beside her, listening to the chanting of the priest. The priest laid his blessings upon their union and motioned for two priestesses in white gi and red hakama to bring forth the sake cups. It was time for the san san kudo*, the ceremony of three times three. Kenshin and Kaoru were to each take three sips from three sake cups stacked one inside the other and then pass them to their 'family' members as witnesses of their union.
The older priestess arranged the cups on the altar and made a graceful bow as she offered the sake pitcher to Kenshin. The younger priestess took Kaoru's hand and placed it with Kenshin's on the pitcher. As Kaoru's hand joined Kenshin's on the pitcher, he could not help but feel that Hiko would definitely enjoy this part of the ceremony.
Together, they poured the sake into the tiered cups. A peaceful smile found its way to Kenshin's face as he watched the cups gradually fill with the clear liquid. Once the cups were filled, they set the pitcher down on the altar and Kenshin picked up the first cup. He sipped from it three times before passing the cup to Kaoru. Upon his first sip of sake, the ex-assassin noted that sake no longer held a bitter taste for him. Finally, he knew what Hiko had meant about being bitter sake. If your sake was bitter, there was something missing in your life. Kenshin had only been able to enjoy the rice wine once, just before Tomoe's death.
His smile was soft as Kaoru accepted the cup. She took it in her delicate fingers and placed her lips over the spot where Kenshin's own lips had kissed it. A shiver ran down Kenshin's spine and raise the fine hairs on his arms as Kaoru's sapphire eyes gazed at him from the pale white mask of her makeup. Her eyes glowed with a mature knowledge that he would not have credited her with before. Kaoru placed the cup on the tray offered to her by the first priestess. When the second cup was passed, Kenshin took a sip. His fingers brushed Kaoru's as he offered her the cup, turning it so she could place her lips where his had been moments before. He could see the smile she his behind the cup and an answering smile blossomed on his lips as his heart swelled with pride.
Only after the couple had taken three sips from each of the three cups did the older priestess offer the cups to each witness who also took three sips from each.
When the san san kudo was completed, the couple turned turned to their respective witnesses and took the branches of sakaki**, placing them on the altar. This was their peace offering to the gods to ensure that they had a safe and happy marriage.
Once the ritual was completely, the priest bid them turn around and greet their family and friends and Mr. and Mrs. Himura Kenshin. It was almost too much for Kenshin, this feeling happy feeling that he could not act upon. He wanted to laugh; he wanted to shout; he want to scoop Kaoru into his arms and hug her tightly to him before the gods and everyone present. However, he would have to contain himself until they were alone, and if all the food Tae had made that morning was any indication, they would not be alone again for quite sometime. So the once feared Hitokiri Battousai contented himself with gazing lovingly at his wife.
He heard Tae gushing about the lovely ceremony and Hiko's muttered response about there not being enough sake. Kenshin gave in and chuckled a bit, wondering how it was that he managed to find redemption in the eyes of the gods. How else could he have been blessed with such a wonderful family and a woman he was never sure he deserved?
TBC...
Author's Note: Ok. So that wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It's been almost a year because I've been putting it off and putting it off. I didn't want to leave this fic unfinished. By the gods, I am determined to finish at least one of my fics! We're reaching the end, kids! I only have one or two more chapters of this, depending on whether not I want an epilogue. We'll see how things go.
*http://www.japaneseweddingfavors.com/wedding_sake.htm
* *http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/japanese_wedding_ceremony_2.ht ml
Most of the ceremony is completely from my head. I could not find very detailed information concerning traditional Japanese weddings, so I took the skeletal components I was able to find info on and fleshed things out a bit. I hope you enjoyed it!