Log; Complete

[foxy-physician.livejournal.com]

When; the afternoon of May 20th
Rating; PG
Characters; Takani Megumi [foxy_physician] and Akechi Mitsuhide [silk_in_ebony]
Summary; The wedding ceremony has finally come, after which Mitsuhide and Megumi will finally be husband and wife—Akechi Mitsuhide, and Akechi Megumi. ♥
Log;

A rustle of silk, and the gentle swish of fabric.

Megumi glanced at the mirror as the donned her kimono for the day. Tucking it deftly into place, tying all the cords that secured it, before taking the length of silk that was the obi and dexterously wrapping it around her waist. Her obi was knotted in a very elaborate pattern, allowing it to cascade down her back in a waterfall of pristine silk.

She sighed with contentment and delight as everything settled into place, molding properly to her form. It was no ordinary kimono that she wore that day—it was the shiro-maku.

The wedding kimono.

Her heart glowed with love and joy as she gazed upon her visage in the mirror. It was finally, finally the day—and she could not wait. Finally, she would become Akechi Megumi—would be wedded to the man that she loved with all of her—Mitsuhide.

A smile graced her lips, radiant and beautiful, as she thought back to how far they had come in the City. From a chance meeting over the network—over gingerbread, of all things—to that fateful night that she had come to his arms, seeking comfort . . . the bond had formed then, and grew. And it kept growing, the more they talked, and laughed, and fell in love . . .

And oh, how they fell in love.

Through all of their moments in the City . . . from those that brought pain, to those that brought joy . . . from the poignant, to the sundry, and everything in between, their love took root, grew, and strengthened, joining them together as two halves to one whole—never to be parted, come what may. The red thread of destiny bound them together, and their love secured, strengthened, and sealed the bond until it was unbreakable—and no ravage of time or space can or will keep them apart. He made the promise, and she had answered with faith and love. She was certain that they would live together for the rest of their lives, happy together, loving together—always.

And now . . . Now, they would be joined together by another special bond—marriage.

Megumi’s heart was racing with anticipation and excitement, and she took a deep breath, smiling gratefully at the two women behind her—Kaoru-san and Megumi-san, who had offered to help her prepare for the wedding.

The last few preparations were done, the last ornaments of the shiro-maku tucked into place. Her hair she left to cascade upon her back, beautiful and silken. There were some who might wonder why she had chosen to leave it down, rather than to have it worn traditionally and to don the headdress. However, long before when she had been turned into a bridal doll, Mitsuhide had told her that she would look so much more beautiful on her wedding day with her hair unbound. She had remembered that and taken it to heart, and now that the day had arrived, she had, indeed, left her hair to spill across her kimono in a dash of dark silk.

But there was one very special ornament that she would wear in her hair.

Tucking just a part of it back, and tying it with a satin ribbon, she slid a very beautiful hairpin into her tresses—the one that he had gifted and entrusted to her during Valentine’s Day. His mother’s.

Mitsuhide’s mother was a very extraordinary and wonderful woman who had helped him become the man that she knew and loved today . . . and Megumi wished to honor her memory by donning her hairpin on this special occasion. Megumi knew . . . without a doubt . . . that she was smiling down at the two of them from Heaven. As was her own family. Her father, her mother, and her two brothers . . . watching over them, and wishing them happiness and love.

Megumi took a moment to whisper a prayer of thanks to their families in Heaven. Turning her eyes to the window, where she could see the beautiful ocean and the endless, blue sky, she knew that they were there, guiding them . . . as they always would.

Finally, she glanced at Kaoru-san and Megumi-san, proffering them both a beautiful, radiant smile, and a gentle nod.

It was finally time to meet her groom.

Comments

[silk-in-ebony.livejournal.com]

The most beautifully silken feature adorning Mitsuhide was his own hair, a cascade of ebony down his back that shone in the sunlight. He was already fully dressed, the traditional wear for the occasion new and soft against his skin, so was paying most of his attention to that fine crown of his. Not that it, in truth, needed it; the locks hung straight and perfect without much effort at all. But it was his one vanity, and thus he permitted himself to give it that extra attention.

After a moment of fussing, he sighed, chuckled at himself, and paced over to the mirror hanging on the side of his training room wall. The young man was always handsome... described as being more in the way of 'pretty' by some... but today he looked more radiant than ever. He did not see this himself, noting only that he looked clean and healthy, skin as pale as ever and a complete contrast to the pure black of his hair.

Within a few hours, to be a married man.

Strange how it had happened this way. How it had started, and developed, grew... become something more beautiful. In truth it had not been love at first sight, but in Mitsuhide's eyes the way it had grown was much more poignant than such a thing. After all, love at first sight could be initiated only by looks. Yes, he had found Megumi attractive when he first met her (to bake, of all things), but the love itself had taken root only after getting to know her, to see the many facets she possessed. It had truly bloomed after that night she sought comfort from him. A powerful something had really initiated then, and from that point forward? He hadn't even realised it himself for a little while, but he's fallen deeply in love with her. The need to do extra things for her, go out of his way just to say hello... it had been strong, and he'd just done it for an age before really stopping to think about why.

Now they were getting married. Husband and wife... that final stage in really showing everyone what they meant to one another. The sacred union that registered their love in the eyes of the heavens.

He smiled to himself, thanking the heavens, his ancestors, those members of his family departed, before standing straight and marching out to the living room to wait for Megumi. Once she was sorted, they would then head for the temple for the private ceremony.

[foxy-physician.livejournal.com]

Megumi exited the room, thanking Kaoru-san and Megumi-san for all their help with the preparations. The two women wished her well and took their leave, Kaoru-san heading to the temple to meet Ken-san, while Megumi-san headed to the reception to wait with the guests.

Heading to the living room, her shiro-maku trailing behind her in a train of white silk, her breath caught in her throat when she gazed upon her husband-to-be. He looked resplendent in his traditional, ceremonial attire, the black kimono setting off his pale skin, and accenting his magnificent ebon hair. He looked so handsome, and so noble and perfect and her heart fluttered, a smile blossoming upon her lips and a blush rising to her cheeks.

“Mitsuhide . . .” His name was an adoring whisper, and she blushed deeper, gazing upon him with shy but expectant eyes. “Beloved . . . the moment has finally come.”

Gliding to him gracefully, she gently slipped her hand into his, smiling up at him, beautiful and fair with her joy and anticipation.

“I couldn’t be happier that we are finally going to be wed today . . . that I will have the honor of being your wife, and of bearing your name . . .”

She paused, her smile growing sweeter, lovelier to behold.

“I love you so much . . . you, Akechi Mitsuhide—the keeper of my heart, the one who writes its songs and teaches it to sing . . . the kind and noble warrior, just and true, defender and protector of peace . . . you, with whom life is precious and special each and every day.”

“I love every nuance and facet of you, and more . . . and I am so glad that I will be your wife today . . . so glad that I will be able to live the rest of my life with you, as your wife, as the one who loves you, by your side.”

Her eyes were aglow with joy as she gazed up at him, her love shining brightly in their depths.

“I love you, Mitsuhide! And I can’t wait to be your wife!”

[silk-in-ebony.livejournal.com]

He squeezes her hand softly, smiling gently at her. There is a special sparkle in his eyes as he gazes at his bride, dressed in her wedding kimono, ready and waiting for the ceremony that will bind them. His heart takes a flutter in his chest.

"Ah, Megumi," he replies, voice all warmth and love. "That wait is... now a short one, indeed! Just the time it takes us to walk to the temple. Just that time, my love, and the short duration of the ceremony."

There is not a trace of sadness about him today, just a quiet confidence and aura of complete, content happiness.

"Then we'll be married, and that will be forever... and you cannot imagine how much I thank the heavens that I met you and that you feel the same way as I."

He takes her hand and brushes a kiss across it. He is not as expressive as she when he talks, but his words are no less sincere and filled with his feelings for her. This is the start of another stage for them... and he is so happy, so in love. Right now, it is all that matters.

"So, my beloved... shall we go?"

[foxy-physician.livejournal.com]

Her heart glowed with warmth and sweetness as she listened to his words, gazed up into his breathtaking gray eyes that shone with the same feelings, the same boundless emotions as hers, true and good and beautiful.

He was right. The wait was very short now. Just a few minutes . . . in just a few minutes, they would be bound together as husband and wife. These were their last few moments as Akechi Mitsuhide and Takani Megumi. In just a few minutes, she would share his name, be his as his spouse, his wife.

It was a new beginning for them—one that she could not wait to embark upon.

A sigh of delight escaped her when he brushed a kiss upon the back of her hand.

And, nodding, she proffered him a gentle, luminous smile. “Yes, beloved. With you.”

And finally, they headed to the temple, where they would perform the san san ku do, exchange their vows and their rings, offer sakaki twigs to the Heavens . . . and, afterwards, become a wedded couple.

Megumi could not take her eyes off of her groom as they proceeded to the wedding ceremony. To know that they were heading towards the place where they would seal their bond as a married couple . . . the feeling was heady and poignant, and it stole her breath away, made her heart soar with anticipation.

Ken-san and Kaoru-san waited outside the temple entrance. Megumi bowed to them, hand-in-hand with Mitsuhide.

Gazing at her beloved, she smiled, and the two of them stepped inside.

[silk-in-ebony.livejournal.com]

Moving inside the temple, the formalities fly by. Greeting the priest and moving to the proper chamber, Mitsuhide's heart quickens a little in his chest as he spies the sake set used to perform the san san ku do. A part of his mind points out the fact that he cannot drink much alcohol without getting drunk, and that it's a good job it's only nine sips he will have to take. Even that might dust his cheeks slightly red!

Inwardly laughing at himself, he takes his place, sitting down. A moment to breathe, a gentle smile, and he takes up the first and smallest of the sake cups, pouring the alcohol carefully in.

Another moment to look softly at Megumi, and he raises the cup to his lips, eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

One... two... three!

The sake is warm in his stomach after his three sips, and he sighs peacefully, smiles and passed it onto his bride. Her turn now. Afterwards, they shall repeat the process with the next cup, then the largest, before it is complete.

[foxy-physician.livejournal.com]

Indeed, the formalities had passed by as if in the blink of an eye, and before she knew it, she and Mitsuhide were before the priest, ready to perform the san san ku do. It was the official part of the ceremony that would bind them together finally as husband and wife, and her heart leapt in her chest when she saw the beautiful saké set to be used for the ritual.

Megumi watched with happiness and a sense of wonder as he took the sips. A first, a second, and a third. He passed the smallest cup to her—and now it was her turn.

The priest poured the liquor into the cup, and she smiled thankfully, lifting the porcelain to her lips.

One . . . two . . . three!

And the rest of the ritual proceeded in the same manner, with the two of them moving to the middle-sized sakazuki, and finally, to the largest one. They made certain to set the cups down together at exactly the same time, as the san san ku do dictated, and when the largest cup was finally set on to the table by their hands together, Megumi gave Mitsuhide a radiant smile.

Oh, he was flushed already! A little giggle escaped her, though it was lost in the music played by the priestesses. Oh, Mitsuhide . . .

The saké was passed on to Ken-san and to Kaoru-san, who both took sips, to signify the participation of Megumi’s family.

After that, the san san ku dowas finished. The most important part of the wedding ceremony was completed.

Megumi turned to Mitsuhide with love and anticipation shining brightly in her eyes. They were almost there!

[silk-in-ebony.livejournal.com]

Now was time for the extra tradition born from Western influences. Mitsuhide had had to research the giving of the rings a little, and even now he wasn't a hundred percent sure on how it worked... so he was just going to go with his heart.

Slipping the ring from somewhere amongst his clothing, he gave Megumi a soft, beautiful smile and took her hand, locating the right finger and slipping it on.

"A ring... symbolises eternity," he said, voice heavy with his feelings. "Bearing these bands, therefore, binds our marriage forever. A love never ended by the cycles of life and death, by the barriers of space and time. You and I have overcome so much to reach this point, my love... Megumi. From this point forward, nothing will break us. We are husband and wife."

A gentle, happy smile. His eyes are fathomless, those of a poet, romantic, love, husband...

"By giving this to you, the union becomes complete."

[foxy-physician.livejournal.com]

Megumi’s heart overflowed with warmth as he slipped the ring onto her finger and recited the vows that made her breath catch in her throat. His words were beautiful and breathtaking, but what made them even more poignant and special was the truth written into each syllable, and the love that was audible as he spoke, as he drew breath, as he told her of the meaning of the rings—symbols of the everlasting and unbreakable bond of their love.

She drew forth his wedding band from her robes as well, taking his hand and gently slipping it onto his left ring finger.

“Mitsuhide, beloved . . . I have this ring for you, as a symbol of my love . . . clear, and pure, and precious . . . and as it symbolizes eternity, my love for you is the same—endless, boundless, and true.”

A tremulous smile curved upon her lips, and she blinked back the tears of joy that threatened to spill from her eyes.

“Nothing can part us now, nor tear us asunder, for you and I are held together, steadfast and true, by many forces . . . We are joined by the red string of destiny . . . by the strength of our love . . . by the promises that we have made, and kept . . . and by these bands, which bind us together in the eyes of man and of God, as husband and wife.”

She drew a trembling breath, her smile brilliant and sweet, lending light and beauty to her fathomless eyes.

“By giving this to you, the union becomes complete.”

“I love you, Akechi Mitsuhide . . . and I always will!”

[silk-in-ebony.livejournal.com]

He sighs sofly, heart fluttering again as Megumi completes this stage of their ceremony. It is not something he knew before, but he can definitely say that it is something welcomed and special. The symbolism of the rings is beautiful.

Mitsuhide reaches over for a moment so he is holding both her hands in his, just holding still a moment, savouring the moment. They are close to the end now... just one more action, then they can go and join their guests at the reception. He is so grateful that the day turned out to be one without curses, so that he and his most beloved could have the best time possible. On a day to celebrate their love, to join them forever, everything had to be perfect.

He was radiant with his handsomeness, and when he looked at her, somehow, she seemed even more beautiful than ever.

"Megumi... I really do love you, beyond all else..."

A warm smile. TIme for the final part of the ceremony.

"Shall we?"

[foxy-physician.livejournal.com]

To hear him say those words to her on this special day . . . it made her breath catch in her throat, and her heart soar. It was something they said to one another every day, but it never lost its meaning—in fact, its meaning grew more and more with each passing moment, with each day of their lives together as their love grew as well, more beautiful and more amazing each time. And now, uttering it to each other during the ceremony made the occasion so much more evocative and meaningful.

Gazing into his beautiful gray eyes, Megumi nodded, knowing that there was one final step in the ceremony that would finally draw it to its conclusion.

“Yes, my beloved.”

And, rising up from their seats, they proceeded to sanctuary of the gods, bearing sakaki twigs. That was the last part of the ceremony—tribute to the Heavens.

Together, they offered the twigs of the sacred tree to worship and honor the gods. It was a quick step, but a solemn one, presenting their love and their union to not only the eyes of men, but to the Heavens, asking for blessing and guidance on their journey together.

Finally, it was done. The sakakitwigs were offered, and at last—at last!

She and Mitsuhide were married!

Turning to him, she gazed up into his eyes, her smile joyous, jubilant with love.

“My husband . . . Anata. I am now your wife . . . Akechi Megumi!”

[silk-in-ebony.livejournal.com]

A light, happy chuckle. Mmm! Her eyes have a wonderful spark in them, a glitter to convey how she is feeling. Some emotions can't be put into words, but those eyes say it all. He could get lost in them.

"You are, dear wife," he replied, taking her hand softly into his. "The ceremony is over, the union complete. Though we have loved each other a long time, now it is official under the eyes of the heavens."

His heart swells. A thousand poems could be written of this moment. They start walking to their reception together, hand in hand. They are a husband and wife now, a couple under the eyes of heaven. He could not feel happier, could not be more satisfied.

[foxy-physician.livejournal.com]

As they stepped out into the sunshine, Megumi let out a musical hum of delight, looking around her with new eyes. When they first entered the temple, she was Takani Megumi . . . and now, she was Akechi Megumi—blissfully wedded to the man that she loved so much.

Smiling, she turned to her husband, rising up on tiptoes to kiss him, lingering and sweet, all of her love and happiness and more in that one special kiss.

Their first kiss as a married couple. It was not a part of the traditional Japanese ceremony, but Megumi felt a new sense of wonder as they shared that kiss—a first kiss once again, as husband and wife. And oh, how beautiful and special it felt, and how it made her heart soar.

Blushing with love, her eyes aglow with adoration as she gazed upon her beloved husband, she nodded, and allowed him to lead her to the reception.

Life could not be more beautiful.