The Day of Thunder

[Doji Hikaru]

(the couple has decided to have a small private ceremony. However, we are registered at Rope Depot)

It had all come together so quickly.

In truth, not much was needed. The official shrine, of course, was impossible to use. But for a ceremony of this size, the tiny arch in a pretty spot by the river would do.

It wouldn't be much of a procession. Just a few people would be standing on either side as the couple walked to the arch. A little table had been set up, with the heated sake and the cups placed upon it. And the scroll, with the vow to Amaterasu. Who will be my grandmother in law. The wild thought almost made Hikaru laugh, such were his nerves, but he contained himself.

He glanced at his bride, there by his side, and suddenly his nerves were steady. Hikaru smiled.

Hikaru himself was dressed in the finest kimono he brought, one of pale blue, as well as another layer in white and gold, on loan from Genji. There was little in the way of greater finery, but he was at least crisp, clean, and as handsome as ever in his well-cared for clothing and accoutrements. A silver circled (also loaned by Genji) adorned his forehead, and helped bind his hair, while a fine jade clasp bound it in back. Except for the white lock, of course, which would never submit to such treatment, and instead tumbled gracefully over his shoulder; closer to Satsuki, naturally.

Once more, Hikaru glanced at Satsuki. It was about to begin...

[Togashi Satsuki]

... And Satsuki glanced back to Hikaur, feeling her nerves calm down in the moment. His gaze and his presence dispelled any nervousness she had about the moment where they tied their fates together before the Heavens and the ancestors.

Like him, Satsuki had dressed in the finest she had available. Her outer robe was a warm color, almost like a fire, with embroidery by her mother's hand along the collar, with multiple skirts for warmth that layered in different colors to continue the motif of a warm fire. She had even spent a lot of time this morning taming her hair, managing to make a soft braid coiled in almost a crown on her head and pinned in place with the jewelry her uncle Shiba had given her.

She breathed in deeply and felt at peace and happy. No matter what happened after this, she'd face it with Hikaru by her side, and their souls would be tied together.

[Hantei Genji]

Genji stood to the back and to the side of Hikaru, his dear friend and dueling partner was marrying his cousin. His smile was wide, almost too wide for his face. He recalled Hikaru standing by his die during his marriage to Kogi, providing the support alongside his family.

He lowered his head in deep thought, and spoke a quick prayer to his aunt.

Dear Lady Doji please smile upon his dreams in particular. He deserves it.

He beamed at Satsuki herself, refraining from flashing a wave to her. They were a cute couple.

[Nanzi Ai]

Ai was present in her best ensemble she had for the road, she was playing soft traditional music.

OOC: Shamisen + Void | 6k4 ⇒ 29, 1 void used.

[Makime]

The Lady Makime arrived, her opinions on this wedding had been made known to both the participants. But she understood ultimately the young lovers could be facing a world coming to end, so she acquiesced and gave the union her blessing. Besides, Makime reasoned, her daughter would have wished to attend and the Lioness could at least stand in Ayano's place.

She carried her swords, though more as a rank of office then an expectation of need. More telling was her lack of armor. Makime had scarce taken it off since the first day, when the village had first hinted at the malicious rot in it's heart.

Makime took a place off to the side, nodding to the two young lovers and managing a proper smile.

[Ryoshun Nao]

Nao smiled happily as she watched the proceedings.

[Matsu]

Matsu stood, watching the pair. Her arms folded across her chest, the Amazon stood tall. She was happy for her dear friend, Satsuki. And Hikaru had proven himself an honorable person, in spite of being a Crane.

And given that he would likely become 'Togashi Hikaru settled that score pretty nicely.

But the most important thing - it was crystal clear that Hikaru truly and deeply loved and cared for Satsuki. And that was everything.

So Matsu was more than happy to attend, and be amongst the well wishers for the happy couple.

[Anjing]

Anjing had unpacked her one ceremonial kimono of dark blue silk with mons and everything. Her reasoning was that for important ceremonies like this, the itchier the clothing the better.

Like Makime there were swords by her side (in case anyone particularly suicidal wanted to interrupt the nuptials) but joy on her face. Even with everything that had happened and was happening she could find happiness in this. A perfect marriage, one for the history books.

The Crab Daimyo stands ramrod straight, waiting for when it was time to step forward.

[Doji Hikaru]

Well, it seemed that it was time.

Hikaru looked at Satsuki, his pale eyes meeting her green. Neither of them needed to say anything. They were both ready.

Together, the two began to walk towards the altar, such as it was. Hikaru walked slowly, looking out over the faces of those closest to both of them. And Lady Makime... wait, was that a smile on her face? That was almost the most surprising thing about all of this. Almost.

The two made their way to the altar. Various customs were appropriate; tossing rice or sticks behind the couple as they walked. Hikaru's hand twitched, struggling with the desire to take his bride's hand.

[Togashi Satsuki]

It was a shame that all their friends and closest family couldn't be with them, but... it was nice like this, Satsuki decided. Even Makime, whom she had grown to respect a lot the past weeks. She'd be sure to tell Ayano all about it no doubt. And once they all could return home, she was certain her family would throw a great feast.

But now she was here beside Hikaru, and she gave him a reassuring glance as they approached the shrine and knelt together. A stick of insence as lit before the altar, to chase away any evil spirits.

Maybe there were some rules somewhere about performing your own ceremony, but Satsuki hadn't heard about them. So she pressed the palms of her hands together, as the two of them began the ritual.

"Lady Amaterasu, shine upon us as we tie our threads of fate together under your light, to join together as one. Even in this place, we can feel your warmth, and your love for all your children. Please, turn your attention to your grand-daughter Togashi Satsuki, and your daughter Doji's most loyal retainer Doji Hikaru. Let your blessing push away the darkness, let your pure light purify them, that they may begin their lives anew, together."

As she recited the words, Hikaru poured the sake into the small cups. The couple took one sip each from the cups, then exchanged to sip from one another's cups.

"Benten, bless our life with love and devotion. Bishamon, bless us with strength to endure when the days are dark. Ebisu, bless us to build a happy future together. Hotei, bless us with happiness and joy. Jurojin, bless us with good health and many years. Fukurokujin, bless us with the knowledge and understanding to make one another better. Daikoku, bless us with stability and good fortune in the years to come."

[Togashi Satsuki]

As the prayers to Amaterasu and Fortunes were given, Satsuki used a red silk ribbon to tie their hands together for the last part. "We were bound by the red string of fate, and now we are bound together in the presence of the Heavens and our loved ones. Our lives and our souls will be bound together until this life is at an end, and hopefully to meet again in the next."

Satsuki's green eyes focused on Hikaru as she began to speak her personal vows to him. "I, Satsuki, daughter of Togashi and Saruko, bind myself to you - and I give you my heart, my soul, my love, and my devotion. I promise to be faithful to you and to stand by your side through the seasons, the light, the dark, and against all that would see us parted. With you, I know I can face whatever this world will bring, whatever destiny, and the future, will bring."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru listened as Satsuki spoke, first as part of the ceremony, and then as she spoke her personal vows. His lips parted, a look of wonder on his face, growing with each word she spoke.

Both finally, and all too soon, it was his turn. Hikaru took a deep, wavering breath, but when he spoke his voice was clear and firm, his eyes on hers. "I, Hikaru, retainer to Lady Doji, bind myself to you, heart and soul. Whatever the future may bring, troubles or hardships, pain or sadness, this I swear: my love for you will never waver, my faith in you will never falter, and my devotion to you will never end. We shall face the future, joys and sorrows, as one. Together." At this last, his voice grew thick with emotion; even Crane training was not enough for this moment.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Hearing Hikaru's words, and the tremble of emotion in his voice, Satsuki couldn't really help herself and dabbed at the corners of her eyes as she was starting to feel overwhelmed.

"Then now, we begin the rest of our lives together. Forever." The ceremony was concluded and she joined her hands with his. And very cheekily kissed him, even if that wasn't really what one was expected to do in front of others!

[Nanzi Ai]

She raised her new fan in front of her face at the outrageous kiss, thus ending her song for now.

[Anjing]

"Finally!"

Anjing grins and applauds loudly.

[Matsu]

As the happy couple shared the kiss, Matsu was the picture of impropriety, letting out a celebratory war whoop and cheering!

[Makime]

Makime remained her calm self, giving her nod of approval as the two finish up there vows.

She looked over to her fellow daimyo, "Those two were insufferable on the trip here, trying to hide all the glances they were giving each other in my presence."

More seriously she added, "Another reason for us to triumph here. These two young fools need a future. A suitable gift for the new couple neh?"

[Nanzi Ai]

As the happy couple shared the kiss, Matsu was the picture of impropriety, letting out a celebratory war whoop and cheering!

The whooping and hollering pulled her out of her shock and she sat down once more and began playing a more joyous and upbeat tune to get the feet moving and the hips a-shaking. She began to sing, “Do you remember, The 21st night of forever? Love was changin' the minds of pretenders… While chasin' the clouds away!”

“Our heart’s were ringin’, in the key to our souls were singin’, as we danced the night, remember How the stars stole the night away… oh, yeah!”

She continued, “Hey, hey, hey… Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember? Ba-dee-ya, dancin' in forever
Ba-dee-ya, never was a cloudy day!”


The song continued.

OOC: Singing | 4k3 ⇒ 28

[Ryoshun Nao]

Nao cheered. And, as the music began, she danced.

.

[Doji Hikaru]

Hearing Hikaru's words, and the tremble of emotion in his voice, Satsuki couldn't really help herself and dabbed at the corners of her eyes as she was starting to feel overwhelmed.

"Then now, we begin the rest of our lives together. Forever." The ceremony was concluded and she joined her hands with his. And very cheekily kissed him, even if that wasn't really what one was expected to do in front of others!

Perhaps it was a shameful display. But Hikaru knew that it was sometimes okay to break etiquette. And if kissing your wife for the first time wasn't one of those times, what was? And so, grinning, Hikaru kissed her back.

The couple stepped down away from the altar, into the group of cheering friends. Again, Hikaru found himself grinning at just how enthusiastic the response was. "We really couldn't wait any longer, could we?" He said his soft voice just carrying over the cheers and the music.