SECOND CHANCES

N.B. Sorry guys for taking so long :( I was kinda gonna give up this fan-fic for a while. But I kept getting story alerts, showing me people still actually DO read this fan-fiction :D And also reminding me that I haven't written in a while. So I shall attempt to continue this. Wish me luck. Thanks especially to emir for the review :)

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Hey Nana, I wish I could. I want to do it over again, everything, I would do it differently. If I could, I'd take the chance, put away all the regrets. Will I ever get that chance?

Roses, deep blood red, were placed everywhere around the church. People were jostling around, arms full of drapes, decorating the glistening wooden pews. A dark red carpet was being rolled by two guys to the altar. They huffed and puffed to get it straightened out properly. They looked back down the aisle, at their co-workers struggling to tie decorative knots, securing the most important part of the aisle: the dark canopy of ivy and roses that hung above it.

Elsewhere, a small ballroom was also undergoing heavy preparation. Red tablecloths were being spread over numerous tables, and white roses placed pristinely in glass bowls in the centre of each table. Silverware was aligned perfectly, along with a tiny black box complete with a red ribbon containing gifts for the guests. Yasu stood watching all this, and alerted the hotel manager to a small problem.

"Sorry, but just to check again, this is a smoking hall yes?" Yasu asked anxiously.

"Ah, yes, I'll have them put out the ashtrays. It is all taken care of," the manager said pleasantly. Yasu smiled gratefully in return. His cell phone rang out suddenly.

"Hello?"

"It's me 3. How are the preparations going?"

"Oh, Ren. Yes, it's all going well. I never asked, what's in the guest boxes? They came already wrapped."

"Haha, I special ordered them. I love paying attention to detail. But you'll just have to see when they open," Ren said tauntingly. "Do you think Nana will like it?" He added nervously. "I mean, we're not supposed to see each other until the ceremony. Which is in a few hours."

"Hmm, Nana is unpredictable, but yes, I'm sure she'll like it. I'll see you at the church. Later."

---

"IT'S BEAUTIFUL!" Nana exclaimed. She danced around, peering into the mirror at the bride. "But why are you wearing black on your wedding day Nana?" She asked, dismayed. "You're supposed to wear white, or a traditional wedding kimono!"

Nana exhaled a plume of smoke right into her friend's face. "I am not going to wear a kimono. And besides, I like black. Also, this is not for the ceremony. I'm wearing something else for that. And stop dancing around Hachi!"

Nana K. pouted, pulling a face. "Show me what you're gonna wear later!"

"No. Satsuki, are you ready? I want to see how you look, as the flower girl," Nana O. called to her.

"Okay Auntie Nana, I'm done," Satsuki called triumphantly, pulling aside her dressing room curtain to reveal a tiny frilly red dress with sparkling black beading, cut to just about her knees. The red made her hair shine even darker than usual. Completing the outfit were the most awesome knee high black glossy dominatrix boots with laces. On Satsuki, she looked like a tiny anime character.

"Oh you look so beautiful!" Her mother exclaimed excitedly. She had on her bridesmaid's dress of a dark red too, a bigger version of Satsuki's. Minus the knee high boots. "I can't believe you customized these from Vivienne Westwood!"

"You DID?" Junko exclaimed. "Wow that must've cost a lot of money, not that it matters to you of course."

"Well, of course I did. You think I can get these from anywhere? And I would never get anything less than Vivienne for my last day of freedom. Anyways, we'd better go. Help me change Hachi," Nana said.

"You're definitely having the most punk rock wedding in the whole history of weddings," Junko laughed. "I can't wait for it!" She watched as Nana O. pulled on her own dark red dress, a long train sparkling with black beads to a short cut in front, revealing the same knee high boots Satsuki was wearing. The dress was long sleeved, with black lace extending from her shoulders to her wrist, and a loop of lace going over her middle finger, as well as frills going down the front and a high frilly collar. In short, it was exactly like the dress she had worn when she had met Ren, just now customized with a train and small minor decorative modifications. Black buttons gleamed down her middle and her cufflinks were black too.

Nana K. stepped back to admire her former roommate. What she saw made tears well up in her eyes. "You look beautiful," she breathed for the third time. Nana O. turned to look at her, and smiled.

"So do you Hachi. So do you."

---

Guests had already started arriving. Shin retreated to the inner chambers of the church, where Nobu was dressing. "Hey, people are here already!" He exclaimed to Nobu, who was trying to tie a proper knot. His face was screwed up in concentration, and he sighed theatrically as his bowtie went wonky yet again. Shin laughed. The door to the chamber opened again, and both of them turned to see who it was. A haze of red silk greeted them, and Nana walked in, with Satsuki.

"Hey Hachi, you look cute!" Shin told her. "You look cute too Suki-chan," he added when she pouted.

"Thanks Shin," Nana said, smiling at him. "You look so different nowadays, it's such a good change," she said, reminiscing.

"Uncle Nobu! You look funny!" Satsuki remarked, pointing at Nobu's bowtie and laughing. It had uncoiled and draped around his neck like a cravat. Nobu sighed. "Maybe I should ditch the bow?" he asked.

"No! It's a formal affair. Come on, I'll help," Nana offered. She crossed the room as Shin announced he was going out to see the guests, Satsuki tagging along. The door closed behind them softly. Nana gently pulled apart the bowtie, smoothing out the creases, and then began to retie the knot. Nobu shifted a bit uncomfortably. It had been a while since they were that close. Nana eyes darted up to his face, and noticed he was staring down at her. She smiled up at him and continued tying.

"What's up Nobu? You seem to have something on your mind." Nobu sighed and looked heavenward. Hands in his pockets, he replied, "Just that I feel weird doing this. Nana and Ren, finally taking the plunge."

Nana laughed softly. "Well, you'll take it too someday! I mean when you find-" She cut herself off mid sentence. Her eyes darted around nervously. Oh Nana, you IDIOT! How can you be so selfish? Nobu glanced down at her with a small smile. "I've already found her," he told her. Nana's head was bent. She pulled the ends of the bow, straightening it, and then smoothed Nobu's lapels.

"There you go. You're done. I need to check on Nana now, she'll almost be ready," she said turning to the door. Nobu grabbed her hand suddenly.

"Nana."

---

"Where's Hachi?" Nana asked Junko. "She's supposed to help me get ready!"

"She just went to check on the boys," Junko replied, adjusting Nana's straps. She glanced at her in the mirror. "Wow girl, you look great!"

"I'd better, it's my last day of freedom," Nana laughed. The door opened, and Nana K. walked in. "Yo Hachiko! Where've you been?"

"Oh, I was just checking up on the boys. Nana, you look beautiful!" she exclaimed, fawning over her best friend. Junko smiled at the both of them, and said, "I'm going to go out now. It's nearly time. Good luck!" Both the Nanas looked at each other as she left.

"Oh Nana, I can't believe you're finally getting married!" Nana K. said happily, hugging her. "You and Ren will be great! You'll be so happy together!" Nana O. hugged her back hard. Then she drew back and looked at Nana K. in her eyes.

"Hachi, you are happy aren't you?" she asked. Nana K. paused, and smiled.

"Of course I am! I have everything I've wanted: the house with the yard, cooking every day, Satsuki…" She trailed off. Nana O. looked hard at her.

"Takumi?" she added. Nana K. looked down at her feet. Nana O. sighed and continued. "Please promise me this one thing at least." Nana K. looked up. "Of course," she replied. "What is it?

---

The orchestra started. Everyone was in their places; the guests in the pews, turning to the chapel doors obediently to watch the bride's procession; Satsuki was walking down the aisle with perfect little bouncy steps, scattering the flowers left and right; Yasu and Nobu both standing by Ren's side at the altar. Nana walked behind her daughter, holding her own small bouquet and smiling widely. Her eyes met those of her husband's in the first pew, and he smiled back at her while nodding her on. Nana looked at Ren, and then noticed Nobu. He was standing straight, next to Yasu and his eyes were upon her also. His smile was small, sincere, and sad. It was a smile of defeat.

The bride walked right behind her best friend, face covered by a black veil embroided with tiny little beaded red roses. Everyone watched her journey down the aisle, unfaltering and each step the proud, haughty walk of the lead singer of the Black Stones. Cameras flashed; the reporters in the back row were taking as much as they could from their bad seating. Nana watched as her goddaughter and her best friend filed off to her left, and her eyes were filled with tears which she blinked back hard as she reached her fiancé. Ren smiled and took her hand. They turned to the pastor, who now smiling, opened his book and began to read aloud.

Nana K. smiled as her friends said their vows, as they exchanged white-gold rings, and as Ren bent down to kiss his wife. She smiled as they led the procession down the red carpet, flowers and bubbles being thrown and blown by the guests raining down on their heads, the bride's face fixed with happiness, the groom smiling and then picking up his bride and whirling her around. The flashes and her tears blurred Nana's vision once again, but she saw one person standing back with her while everyone surged forward to congratulate the happily wedded couple. Their eyes met, and she held his gaze, this time boldly and not looking away. Two damp spots within a burning fire.

---

"HAHA! Oh my God, that's hilarious!" Nana O. roared with laughter. Ren was laughing too, and trying to support his now drunken bride, which was not really going well as he had had one too many himself. Everyone was chatting and laughing happily, the wedding dinner finished and toasts all made. Games had been played, the cake had been eaten and now more than half the wedding guests were happily smashed, including Ginpei, who was being supported by Yasu, up to a hotel room, assisted by two waiters.

"Just take him up," Yasu said exasperatedly to the two waiters, who nodded immediately and proceeded to drag the manager to the lifts. Yasu sighed and returned to the party. Naoki, Reira, Takumi, Take and Shin were playing a complicated drinking game, and both Naoki and Take were pretty much down for the count.

"I'm gonna win this Takumi!" Reira declared. She picked up another card and pointed dramatically at Shin. "Ha! Drink up!"

Shin knocked back the shochu with ease, and picked up his card. "Your turn to drink Takumi," he gestured. Takumi sighed. "We're the only ones still sober because you're an alcoholic, I've got great tolerance and Reira's just good at cards! I'm gonna see what Ren's doing," he said, getting up to Ren's table. He went over to Nana K., who was supporting a sleeping Satsuki's head on her lap.

"Shh," she whispered. "She doesn't need anymore noise."

"I'll take her up to the room," Takumi offered, lifting up his daughter and carrying her towards the hotel lifts.

"YASU!" Ren said happily as Yasu came back to the table. He hugged him hard and Nana slumped onto his lap. Then she sat up, stick straight and proclaimed, "I haven't thrown my bouquet yet!" She stood up unsteadily, Nana supporting her, saying, "Nana, I think that's enough, maybe you should go sleep."

"Hachi! Don't ruin the fun, it's my wedding night!" Nana complained. "Okay women, line up now! Right in the front of the stage!" She staggered towards the stage, her black dress glittering with silver beads. "Okay! Misato! Come over here! You too Hachi!" Nana declared into the mike.

"But Nana, this is only for women who are single," Misato called, Nana K. nodding fervently.

"Both of you get down there! Come on, everyone's there already. Okay? One, two, THREE!"

The bouquet of red and white roses soared through the air, baby's breath waving in the breeze. Arms reached up for it, hopeful eyes turned to follow its wide arc which sailed right into Nana's arms. Misato gasped and cheered. Nana O. turned around delightedly asking "Who caught it? Who caught it?" A startled Nana now held the bouquet in her arms, while girls surged around her, some upset, others laughing. Ren and Yasu laughed, while Nana cheered, "Hey Hachi, you're gonna get married again!" Her cheer turned to surprise, laughter turned to silence as Nobu, who had been making his way towards the centre of the crowd to Nana K., now knelt in front of her on one knee, and opening a black box he had taken from his breast pocket revealing a beautifully cut pink diamond, he asked into the stunned silence, "Nana Komatsu, will you marry me?"

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N.B. Yes I know, shocking :) But I've always envisioned it to be this way. I hope you guys aren't bored; this is a rather long chapter. Must be a new record :) Reviews make me smile!