Takahashi Ayame had only met her betrothed once before, at the traditional interview that preceded most arranged marriages in Japan. She knew her soon to be husband was very handsome to be sure, but she wasn't sure what she thought of his somewhat cold demeanor. But, she reasoned with herself, he is a noble samurai and future leader of the Aizu clan.

She knew she should feel privileged to be marrying into the Takimi family, but something was missing from her joy. She did not yet love Takimi Shigure, and she didn't know if she ever would.

Ayame yelped, slapping a hand to her hair that was being unmercifully yanked into an updo for her wedding that would take place in a few hours.

"Okaa-san! That hurts!" Ayame said, glaring up at her elderly mother.

"Silence, musume! You are lucky to be getting married. Many girls are not so fortunate! Don't you want to look beautiful for your iinazuke?" Ayame blushed in embarrassment, remaining silent as her mother gouged her scalp with the traditional tortoise-shell combs.

Then, Ayame's mother helped her into her white wedding kimono that seemed even more complicated than a geisha's garb. Many layers later, she was ready for the ceremony. Looking into the mirror, Ayame hardly recognized herself. She knew that many considered her to be beautiful, but she had never seen it before. Now, in her thick makeup, she finally saw.

The Shinto shrine where the marriage was taking place was decorated beautifully for the ceremony, but Shigure did not notice. His eyes were only for his new bride. Dressed in his formal black kimono, Shigure watched as Ayame drank from the red sake cup and then handed it to him. He drank and then passed it back to her. They drank a total of three times, and then the cup was handed around to their closest family members who all drank, symbolizing their new union. Shigure then recited his marriage commitments, never looking away from his bride's dark purple eyes. Then the ceremony ended.

Throughout the small reception that took place at an inn near the shrine, Ayame could not bring herself to look into her new husband's eyes. She could tell he was deeply infatuated with her, but even with his attentiveness, something was missing. She hoped it would pass with time.

"Ayame, darling, we will leave for my home soon. Do you want to say good-bye to your mother and father?" Shigure asked, squeezing her hand.

"Yes. I will only be a moment." Ayame kept her eyes down in what she hoped he would interpret as shyness.

No such luck.

"Ayame, are you all right? I haven't been able to gaze into your pretty purple eyes since the ceremony. Is something the matter? You need not fear me, I will be a good and loyal husband to you. I will never raise my voice or strike you. Please, trust me in this." Shigure tilted Ayame's head until she looked into his dark green eyes.

" Yes, Shigure, I will. Just give me time to get to know you and I am sure I will come around."

He smiled slightly, kissing her forehead and then scooting her off in the direction of her parents.

Later that night, Shigure brought Ayame to his large home. He could tell that her nerves were getting the best of her, concerning what she would have to do that night to consummate the marriage. He did his best to make her comfortable.

" Ayame, come to bed." He beckoned, sliding the door shut behind him.

Placing her hairbrush on a small wooden table, Ayame turned and glanced at her now half-naked husband. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she looked at his well-built frame. He had taken his long brown hair down from his samurai's tie and it cascaded elegantly over his broad shoulders. Sighing to calm her racing heart, Ayame flipped her waist length black hair behind her shoulders and began undoing the tie of her underrobe, knowing how difficult a job this could be for a man with no kimono-tying experience.

Shigure gazed in wonder at his now naked wife. She had the body of a goddess. Her pale skin contrasted wonderfully with her dark hair, but Shigure noticed something else as well. A long, jagged scar ran from just under her ribs and disappeared around to her back, its pearly sheen white even against her skin.

" Ayame?" Shigure asked.

" Not tonight, Shigure. I will tell you in time. For now, just focus on me. I am yours tonight."

Shigure nodded, stepped forward, and kissed his new wife.