A/N: Hey there! :P I'm really excited to get writing this collection of one-shots. :D I'm so excited, I'm shaking. Lul… the idea came to me last night as I was getting my sister some tums because she didn't feel very good. I thought about, randomly, the marriage vow "in sickness and in health." So, I came up with the idea of doing a little one shot of all the little vows made during marriage. I'm going to try and take it apart and use it accordingly. :P
Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captor Sakura.
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Chapter I
Joining
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It was most like a dream. Something she'd never had imagined to come true was happening here and now. It was everything she ever could have hoped for.
She was so grateful to everyone's help and support. Especially Tomoyo, who had been too into helping prepare and cater this wedding. Not the mention her stunning, blazing-frosted dress, all "provided from the best, only for the best", as her amethyst eyed cousin had said. The only thing the auburn haired woman really did was choose the theme, a "Winter Wonder."
It was her day, as well as her husband-to-be's.
Strung from the ceiling and decorated everywhere were many different ornaments of snowflakes, a dull yet dazzling theme of light blue, white, and a darker blue dotting in amazing patterns. Everyone stood dressed similar to their surroundings, all blended into the atmosphere. Her breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of a handsome young man with messy chocolate locks. He looked incredibly dashing, fit into a light blue tuxedo with a nice white tie and navy blue buttons lining down his jacket.
Fujitaka Kinomoto comfortably walked his daughter down the isle, proud to an unimaginable level. He wished nothing but happiness for her, and felt as every step they took, that happiness became closer and stronger.
Syaoran acknowledged the older man with a nod, smirking as he linked arms with her. Fujitaka gladly handed her over, murmuring his unexplainable thanks.
She fought the tears ready to pour from her emerald optics. She wouldn't be able to stand crying at her own wedding. She sniffed, nearly trembling with the effort.
There was a shuffle next to her. The arm in which she grasped angled slightly as the chocolate haired man peered at her, concern tainting his amber orbs. Despite his concern, he couldn't help but smile.
"What's wrong, Sakura?" He asked, his deep voice as gentle as possible.
She threw on a stronger face, the glint at the corners of her eyes not tricking him in the least bit. She smiled brightly—so beautifully. "Nothing at all! What makes you think there's something wrong?" She flinched as her voice came out high-pitched and squeaky.
His gaze softened as he immediately became accustomed to her pure self. His chest swelled with pride. Surely he didn't deserve this woman, standing side-by-side with him. He chuckled faintly, wondering when he was going to wake up from this fantasy.
"Just an itch. But, please don't cry," he reached over and swiped a stray tear that had spilled out that was running down her cheek. He knew for the life of him, very well, that she couldn't help it. It was worth a try supporting her like this, though.
Calmly, she took a deep breath in. As the warmth in his hand left her cheek, she slowly exhaled and nodded, auburn tresses falling naturally around her feminine features.
The best-man and the maid of honor stood quietly at the side, quite satisfied with their work.
Sakura meaningfully clutched her white and light blue iris bouquet to her chest as the ceremony began. Everyone took their seats, applaud reciting.
The preacher smiled grandly. "We come here today for the joyous occasion and celebration of the joining of Li Syaoran and Kinomoto Sakura in marriage, and to witness as you pronounce your marriage vows to one another. This is a sacred union of hearts and lives joined by the most strong and tender of ties. This union is created out of friendship, respect and love. "
She was just about ready to burst. He was already impatient.
"True marriage is more than the joining in the bonds of matrimony of two persons. It is the uniting of two people that are already attuned to each other. When such a true bond already exists between two people, it is a joyous occasion for an outer acknowledgment to be made. This acknowledgment is the reason for this ceremony and this gathering today. We are here to bear witness to the joining into the closer relationship of husband and wife of two already beloved friends."
He smirked, seeing audacity. They were far more then beloved friends. He didn't dare interrupt, though.
"Li Syaoran and Kinomoto Sakura, we rejoice that out of all of the world you have chosen each other, and that you have experienced the deeper meaning and richness of life in sharing it with each other. Your future with its hopes & dreams, its successes and disappointments is hidden from your eyes today. Love will make it easy, acceptance and forgiveness will make it a joy. May then, this love with which you have joined your hands and your hearts never fail, but grow deeper and stronger as the years go on."
And, that was it. They were barely into it, and she was already crying. Syaoran chuckled as the preacher halted, shocked by her reaction. "Oh, I'm so sorry, miss…" Everyone else followed along with a light wave of laughter, all in sudden realization of what was happening.
She blinked, unaware of her tears. She wiped them away, smiling reassuringly. "No, I'm sorry…"
"Go on and continue." Syaoran urged, comfortingly tightening their linked arms. He smiled warmly at her.
"Well… you are adding to your life not only the affection that you heart desires, not only the happy companionship of times spent together, but a deep trust and consideration for one another as well. You are agreeing to not only work out your own challenges but also to help one another. You are finding in each other that which compliments your life. You are agreeing to carry a part of each others responsibilities.
"You are entering in on an act of pure faith in which you give of yourself to the utmost. In to this state of marriage the two of you now come to be united."
Sakura smiled sweetly, butterflies soaring in her. Syaoran couldn't stop his smile as well, overcoming joy enlightening him.
Syaoran cleared his throat comfortably finally given his cue, turning towards his fiancée after unlinking their arms. He hesitated at first, captivated in her lovely emerald pools. He took both of her petite hands into his own, continuing on, strong and confident. "I, Syaoran Li, today I take you for my wife. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
Her heart skipped a beat, sheer joy overwhelming her. Count on Syaoran to overdo things. He was such the romantic type, something she deeply loved. Shyly, she came forth with her own vow.
"I, Sakura Kinomoto, take you, Syaoran Li, to be my friend, my lover, the father of my children and my husband. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity."
Syaoran searched her grandly, both their smiles never leaving their figures.
The preacher smiled widely. "Wonderful. You have vowed your love to each other. Are you now ready to confirm that love in the responsibilities of a marriage?"
Eagerly, both said yes.
Syaoran dug into his pant pocket, locating a small box. Sakura quickly gratefully took hers from Tomoyo, who had been more than happy to hold it for her until this moment. They were quickly back in place and ready to move on towards the end of the ceremony
"We have heard the vows that you have made to each other, and now may your love and understanding grow throughout the years. May you seek each others happiness, and recognize each others needs as though they were your own. May yours always be a shared adventure, rich with moments of serenity as well as excitement, vital with problems that test as well as successes that lift, marked with a sense of personal freedom as well as mutual responsibility."
With that, she opened her box, revealing an elegant, but suitable golden ring for a man. He gladly lifted his hand for her. She placed it on his ring finger, which she thought was a very fitting name.
Syaoran opened his own box, Sakura blinking questionably as she spotted a cheap looking plastic pink Barbie ring presented towards her. "Oh.." Syaoran closed the box, tossing towards Eriol. Eriol caught it by surprise. The chocolate locked man dug into his pocket again, laughs echoing from their guests. Sakura laughed as well, murmuring something about how silly he was.
"Here we go…" he pulled out a similar looking ring box, opening it dramatically. A perfect shine reflected off of the ring, displaying numerous pink shaded diamonds, beautifully accompanied by gold. Calligraphic writing was encarved onto the gold, indeed showing it's price range. "If you don't accept this ring, Sakura, I'll take that as a very offensive move. It means you don't want to marry me." He joked as he slid it onto her finger. Sakura was speechless as she inspected the ring, awestruck. He slid the box back into his pocket, smirking devilishly.
"Thank you.."
"No, thank you." He countered.
The preacher continued. "Do you, Sakura Kinomoto, take Syaoran Li as your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to comfort and to guide him forever more?"
She nodded, all of this nearly too much. "I do."
"Do you, Syaoran Li, take Sakura Kinomoto as your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love and to care for her forever more?"
He thought it was quite an obvious answer. "I do." He said proudly, nonetheless.
"Then may you find in each other companionship as well as love, understanding as well as compassion, challenge as well as agreement. May your home be an island where the pressures of the world can be sorted out, brought into focus, and healed.
"Where personal needs do not tower over concern for each other, where the immediate does not blur more distance goals, and where the warmth of humor puts life into perspective. And above all may you find an ever richer meaning and joy in the high adventure of lifelong loving and growing together.
"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you, Syaoran Li, and Sakura Li, husband & wife.
"You may now kiss the bride."
That was all he needed as he sweetly closed the distance between them, softly trailing his finger up her chin, angling her upwards. He bended down, delicately placing a tender kiss on her lips. She strung her arms around his neck, careful with the bouquet, and returned the kiss.
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A/N: Sorry to end it here, but for style reasons, I'm going to stop it right here.
This fic will have roughly 15 one-shots in it, if you really want to go back and count each vow they made to get an exact number. :P
This is just the introduction...
Please review! :3
~Chilo