A/N: This one goes out to my friend Rascal, for editing and giving me general relationship advice for our favorite couple, which I tend to be clueless on. Also a special dedication to all who have stuck with the 'Promise' continuity thus far. You guys are the best, and you all encourage me to keep writing!
Ignore the rating for this chapter, as it only applies to chapter 2, which is its own chapter so those who dislike lemons can skip it. That being said, this chapter is rated T.
I also realized that in the previous fic I accidently went with the anime adaption, where Sakura gave Syaoran a scarf, instead of a yukata. D'oh!
Enjoy!
...
Sakura had emphatically insisted on a Taoist wedding. After asking him about them once, she'd done her own research and decided they were simply beautiful. Growing up with a Taoist family, it's not like he found much reason to complain, not that he would deny his favorite girl anything, anyway.
In the changing room, he took a deep, calming breath and exhaled slowly. Tōya had come in a little earlier, surprisingly to soothe his nervousness with a little brotherly advice, though his soon-to-be brother-in-law wouldn't be himself without the added threat of: "If you dare get cold feet on my little sister and hurt her, I'll make sure you don't have any feet."
The feelings that swam through him were of course of trepidation; this was the biggest step he'd ever taken in life, and he just hoped he could make Sakura happy. The other part of him however, couldn't be more ecstatic about the whole thing. He was marrying Sakura – the woman he loved more than life itself! Every fiber of his being tingled with euphoria at the mere thought, and it bubbled within him until manifesting itself as a brilliant smile that he couldn't wipe off his face.
"You look happy," a kind voice interrupted his reverie, and he looked up to see Fujitaka's smiling face. "I'm glad. That means I can welcome you into the family without having to talk you down from whatever coercion Tōya-kun left you with," the man chuckled warmly.
Syaoran relaxed in the man's presence instantly, as he always found himself doing, and bowed politely with smile in place. There was something about his soon-to-be father-in-law that could soothe even marriage jitters, leaving just the good feelings. He was a lot like Sakura herself in that regard, he supposed. In fact, the only part of Sakura that resembled her brother at all in his eyes was her rare temper.
"Nadeshiko-san offers her welcomes and congratulations as well," he continued happily.
"Is she… here?" the thought obviously awed him. Both that Sakura's father could see spirits now, and that his love's mother would descend from the heavens themselves to congratulate him on marrying her daughter.
"She was briefly, but I think she went to see Sakura-san."
Syaoran looked down at that.
"How… How is Sakura?"
A hand came up to clasp his shoulder gently, in a soothing manner.
"She's her usual cheerful self, and more excited than I've ever seen her. There's no need to worry – she wants this as much as I'm sure you do."
"I just want her to be happy…"
The hand on his shoulder squeezed.
"You make her happy. That's obvious, even to Tōya-kun, which is why he's been easing up, even though you're taking his beloved little sister away from him."
Syaoran blushed. "I'm not… taking her away, am I?"
The man laughed, rich and amiable.
"No, but I think Tōya-kun will always view it that way. He wants Sakura-san to stay little forever. But don't worry, even he knows better. He trusts you; as do I." The warm smile never left Fujitaka's face.
The blush deepened and Syaoran felt a deep humility settle over him.
"Thank you…"
"It's almost time," the man spoke excitedly, "Do you need any help with your preparations?"
Syaoran's face blossomed in color and he laughed a bit.
"I've practiced so much I could do this ceremony in my sleep."
"Good thing it won't come to that. You'll want to be wide awake to see Sakura-san in her kimono. I know that as her father I'm biased, but you're in for quite the treat."
He gulped in an entirely good way.
…
Tōya was looking over her in an all-too new way, and Sakura found herself fidgeting under his unusual scrutiny, tugging nervously at her hoodless shiromuku. He finally ceased her torture and nodded his approval, "You look like our mother."
It was a blunt statement, but Sakura was touched. Her brother didn't like embarrassing himself with corny sentiments, she knew that, so in his own way this was the best compliment he could have given her. She thanked him quietly, moving to stand closer to him.
"I'm moving in with Syaoran-kun after the wedding," she stated softly, not knowing what his reaction would be.
He sighed, his body drooping in an utterly defeated way.
"Yeah, I know, I'm the one who has to help move all your stuff tonight. Seems we'll finally have some peace and quiet in the house without our resident monster."
"Kero-chan won't be leaving until we get a house," she joked with a grin, and Tōya found himself once again struck by how much she'd matured. In the past she would give him a vehement response and pout for good measure. Now she gave him witty rebuttals and good-natured smiles.
Damn it, this was why he hated the brat… He knew the instant he met him that he was going to be the one to take his little sister away from him, and transform her into someone not so little anymore.
Seeing his sudden crestfallen appearance, Sakura tipped her head to the side and approached him to wrap her arms around his midsection. Looking into each other's eyes for a moment, she sighed shakily before resting her head on his shoulder. She'd gotten so tall… Why hadn't he noticed that before now?
"It's hard on me, too, onii-chan," she confessed.
He suddenly found it hard to swallow past the lump in his throat as he finally hugged her back.
"Then stay."
It wasn't a command, but a plea.
Sakura pulled her head away from his shoulder to look at him again. Her jade green eyes were the one thing that hadn't changed much over the years, ever innocent, and ever a window to her soul.
"I can't stay with you forever, onii-chan. All little monsters have to grow up, someday – even yours."
He nodded disconnectedly; halfheartedly, but knew she was right.
She giggled a bit, obviously fighting back the sadness with typical Sakura gumption, "Don't make that face, or it might stay like that. Besides, I'm not going far. I'll come visit you often."
She leaned up to kiss his cheek before pulling away entirely, much too soon for his liking, but he let her go.
"So," Sakura gave a happy twirl, flaring the bottom of her shiromuku-style wedding kimono, "Do I look like Mrs. 'Brat' yet?" she joked.
Mood effectively lightened, he replied, "Unfortunately."
She laughed, ceasing her flouncing and pinning him with a dazzling smile that had him grinning back. Sakura's happiness had always been contagious.
"Time to make it official, then."
He nodded, rolling his eyes in mock horror.
"A monster and a brat… Talk about fitting."
"Onii-chan!" she laughed in disbelief.
…
The wedding was gorgeous, and they would admit later that they wished they could remember more of it, but if they were being perfectly honest they were too preoccupied with their other half.
Sitting in the center of the Pakua, the two could do nothing but stare at each other, utterly lost in the moment and each other's eyes. They'd lit the eight candles symbolizing the eight forces of nature and were now being read the words of spiritual union while everyone else in the room gave off positive energy and good will. Sakura had trained Tōya rigorously to accomplish this at home, much to his chagrin, but he had put up with it – for her, as she absolutely insisted the ceremony would be a flop if he didn't contribute the most. She managed to look away from Syaoran briefly to wink at him now, seated facing her on the outside on the Pakua. Syaoran himself straightened and tried to look more involved than he was when he caught his mother's eye – flown in straight from Hong Kong to attend – but it wasn't long before he became enraptured by Sakura again.
Time seemed frozen in each other's smiling faces at that moment, but soon enough they had to come out of their reverie and take the stage together. He reached across the urns of water and fire to clasp hands with her. Her cheeks were dusted with a lovely shade that matched the flower she was named for, and everything couldn't be more perfect as they stated their vows and exchanged rings.
Sonomi and Tomoyo caught every breath of every second on film, the former only taking breaks from cooing to glare at Fujitaka, taking pictures with his inferior household camera. Even Takashi was silent, despite Chiharu's continuous sidelong glances, as though expecting him to break out into a lie about how weddings were created at any time. Naoko cried while Rika comforted her.
Sakura and Syaoran then exchanged the urns of water and fire, placing the water container over the flame one until steam began a gentle rise from the vase, enveloping the center of the Pakua with the marrying of opposing elements. They looked at each other through the vapors, remembering a time when they'd been a bit like fire and water, themselves. They hadn't gotten along well at all in the beginning, yet somehow they'd come together, too, culminating into this moment.
The ceremony closed with the Master of Ceremonies performing the Baguazhang martial arts around the Pakua, to call forth and harmonize the eight elements with meditation. Sakura had asked ahead of time if that was a form Syaoran himself knew, but he insisted he didn't. She'd always been fascinated by watching him practice martial arts or the sword. He noticed with a hint of pride that she seemed decidedly less interested when it wasn't him performing.
Their cake had, of course, also been left to the Daidoujis – wedding planner extraordinaires – and was revealed to be designed with cherry blossoms and wolf cubs, much to the eternal embarrassment of the couple concerned. Syaoran covered his eyes with a hand in exasperated mortification, though an amused grin was in place, while Sakura just blushed and laughed nervously, "Ah hah hah… T-Tomoyo-chan…"
Most of the food was of Chinese origin, but there were some Japanese mixed in. Mostly the chefs had focused on their favorites of rice omelets, noodle recipes, and Dim Sum dishes.
"The cake is, of course, chocolate under the white frosting," Tomoyo had specified, making Syaoran blush further. As though to tease him even more, Sakura had insisted on eating a wolf piece. He decided two could play at that game…
Unconventional it may have been, but neither of them could remember a time when they'd been happier. Even Syaoran's mother – a serious person by nature – seemed pleased by the procession, sharing some brief words with her son in Cantonese that had him rigid and blushing, before re-introducing herself to Sakura and seeming more maternal than either had ever seen her as she welcomed her into the family.
Kero had of course been invited, on the condition that he stay in Tomoyo's bag with the Cards, Sakura having promised to save some food for him. The girls had stolen into the restroom to give him some air at one point, and her little guardian had hugged her and told her he loved her, before insisting she have lots of kids to play video games with him.
Hoeeee! she had blushed.
Yukito gave them Yue's rather blunt message of congratulations, along with his own more emphatic one. Sakura wondered if Yue was a little jealous, having to share his new master. He'd started becoming a little child-like with her lately, like he had been with Clow. She made a mental note to get him to visit more often.
Syaoran surprised her by dancing with her a little. Even though they both knew neither of them was very good at it, they had fun and found themselves in their own little world again, not even noticing when their laughter and smiling faces had drawn a crowd, as they were unable to take their eyes off each other. After the music ended was a different story… Both thought they'd be red for the rest of the night.
Sakura very nearly was when 'the girls' pulled her aside to give her their present: an all-expenses-paid night at a hotel. Syaoran was just outside the door, not having wanted to be apart from her in the first place, when he heard the ruckus.
"Why is Sakura saying 'hoe?!'" he demanded, knowing how devious women could be with their friends, having grown up with several sisters.
Nothing but giggling reached his ears, before Tomoyo's, "Nothing to worry about, Li-kun."
"I don't believe you, I'm coming in!"
Sakura looked at him, as mortified as if they'd directly said what they expected them to do with said hotel, and he had to fight a bit to get her to show him the receipt that had her so worked up. When she did, his face erupted in flames that matched her own and he gave the young women a very 'deer caught in headlights' look that had them all giggling again. He decided they were having way too much fun with this and pushed them all back out towards the party, before slumping against the wall and looking at her.
"Syaoran-kun…" she started, quietly.
"Syaoran," he interrupted gently.
"Hoe?"
He smiled endearingly at her blush.
"You've always had the option of calling me 'Syaoran,' but now we're married," he wet his lips before continuing, "It would… make me really happy if you did."
Her face went up in smoke at the notion of their intimacy with each other growing that much stronger; especially after the earlier implications regarding a different kind of intimacy.
"G-… Give me a little time for that, p-… please…"
Syaoran's eyes softened at her and he sighed as though he expected her to say that. She didn't even call Tomoyo without an honorific, after all, and it seemed to be a colossal step for her for some reason. He wondered if it was simply something she had inherited from her father.
He stood, offering her his arm, which she took after only a slight hesitation. Smiling at each other, they headed back out to where their festivities were coming to a close.
…
Standing in front of the Western-style hotel, Sakura and Syaoran felt themselves suddenly getting cold feet about this idea to not waste a fully paid for night of vacation. It was clear what others expected of them, but that didn't mean it had to happen. Still… Would this be the most awkward night of their lives? That worry had them fidgeting as they checked into the front desk.
Syaoran paused at the door to their room, card key halfway to the slot.
"Syaoran-kun?" Sakura spoke up, slightly worried, "Is everything all right?"
Determined to bring back some of the ease and keep this a night they'd want to remember, Syaoran wet his lips before clearing his throat with difficulty, jaw set with conviction.
"I'm not going in… until you call me by my name," he allowed a small smile for her benefit.
Sakura's cheeks tinged with pink. Moving forward the couple steps it took to grasp his hand, she smiled shyly and whispered, "Syaoran."
The boy sucked in a breath and stroked his thumb over her knuckles, his heart thudding so rapidly against his ribs that he was afraid Sakura could hear it. He was so happy it hurt. Swiftly, he unlocked the door, opened it, pulled her inside, and closed it. No sooner had Sakura set down the bag that Tomoyo had conveniently packed for her than he swept her off her feet, ignoring her happy, surprised squeak and holding her close. His warm amber eyes conveyed his joy, and she seemed to glow under his gaze.
"Sakura…"
At the sound of his voice, husky and slightly choked with his love for her, Sakura blushed further. Her eyes were positively shimmering, and – still in her wedding attire – she was the most beautiful he'd ever seen her. He told her so and could feel her aura shift, illuminating from gentle pink to a slightly flushed white, her heart pounding and face heating as she tried to catch her breath under the swell of emotions that crashed over her.
Slowly, with intense adoration, her new husband carried her to the only bed in the room and set her down with a lingering kiss. He leaned down.
"I'm going to get ready for bed," he whispered into her ear, teasing the skin there and making her shiver lightly. "We shouldn't sleep in our wedding clothes."
Her aura changed again – becoming white hot and warm, but not burning. It brushed against his own magical green one as he turned to head into the bathroom, right before her hand shot out to grip his shirt, effectively halting him.
He turned to look at her again, only to find her eyes downcast and face red.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded her head, but tightened her grip on his tangzhuang. Sighing, he moved to sit beside her, disengaging her hand to clasp it in his own.
"Is it just… too much?" he guessed.
She shook her head, silently. He waited.
"It's just… All this. Everyone expects us to…" she trailed off, blushing fiercely.
He matched her color, catching on to what was bothering her.
"Sakura, I don't expect that to happen tonight, either," Syaoran reassured, absently tracing patterns on her hand with his thumb. "We have our whole lives ahead of us now, after all. Things like… worrying about that can wait."
She looked relieved now that perceived pressure was off, to say the least, and he almost laughed at just how seriously she'd taken her friends' joke.
"I just don't want to rush what we have," she stated, carefully. "I want to wait until…"
"Until we're both ready?" he finished, and she nodded gratefully, twining their fingers together.
It wasn't something that had really occupied either of their minds before, and by unspoken agreement, never had needed to be. Being with each other had always been enough, and they were both happy to learn it still was.
'Marriage doesn't mean we have to start popping out kids like my mother wants,' Syaoran thought with a blush.
Sakura squeezed his hand.
"Syaoran, I…" she wet her lips. "Let's go to sleep."
She smiled her softest, sweetest smile; coaxing him out of his embarrassment, and he nodded. His own sisters had known of – and probably been in on – the entire master plan and packed him a bag of essentials as well. When Sakura didn't move, he grabbed it and headed to the bathroom to change. He didn't have any particular pajamas, usually opting to just sleep in a pair of sweat pants, but he suspected that might be a little much for Sakura right now, and he didn't mind going to bed in a casual shirt. He'd slept in his college clothes more than once after late night classes.
When he was finished, it was her turn, and he blushed at her cuteness when she emerged in silk pink night clothes that had her name embroidered in romaji. Scooting to the far side of the bed and ducking under the covers, his eyes beckoned her closer and she complied after only a slight hesitation, slipping under the sheets beside him.
The air was hot and thick between them as they stared at each other, their cheeks red from equal parts embarrassment and happiness. He whispered her name so softly, and stared at her so warmly that her heart ached. She whispered his back.
They had fallen asleep together before, but never for the night, and the prospect of being able to be together uninterrupted – without one having to rush home after – left them blissfully content as they groped for that past easy intimacy.
Hesitantly, shyly, the girl snuggled herself into her new husband, pressing herself as close as she could without blatantly clutching his body. Her face started to burn, because she knew he was watching her every move.
Slowly, his arms wrapped around his now-wife and encircled her while he held her eyes. When neither shied away from the induced familiarity, he pulled her even closer, until their noses were touching, which he nuzzled together sleepily.
"Good night, Sakura," he breathed.
The girl closed her eyes and paused a moment before tangling her arms around his neck, the new position pressing their hearts together.
"Good night, Syaoran."
Tomorrow evening they would leave the hotel for their new home together.
...
A/N: And there you have it - the long-awaited wedding scene! Next chapter will be the "love scene," but it's probably not exactly what you're expecting. I recommend reading the chapter, even if you skip the lemon, but if you're completely uncomfortable with sexual-related conversations, I'd pass on it.
I won't be offended if it's not your thing, so no worries!
(Lost in) Translation notes:
- Pakua = A feng shui compass of sorts, with eight "directions" symbolizing the eight aspirational areas of life. (Career and business, education and knowledge, family and health, wealth and prosperity, fame, marriage and partnerships, creativity, and helping people.) How they work is far too long and complicated to explain here, but there are some great guides online, if you're interested.
- Baguazhang = One of three main Chinese martial arts, Baguazhang literally means "eight trigram palm," referring to the trigrams in an ancient divination book called "I Ching" (Book of Changes) which is one of the canons of Taoism.
- Cherry blossoms and wolf cubs = Probably known to every CCS fan, but I will put it up here just in case some of you don't. Sakura's name means "cherry blossom" while Syaoran's reads "wolf cub." So this is Tomoyo's idea of a befitting cake.
- Dim Sum = Chinese appetizers served in several portions. A little bit of everything is included, and you can find more info online if you're interested. This is listed as Syaoran's favorite food in the manga, along with chocolate. (Sakura's favorites were also what were listed in the manga.)
- Magicals auras = I just decided that if Syaoran and Sakura's powers allowed them to feel the presence of other magical beings such as Clow and the Cards, why not each others?