Rest was something that all the Senshi needed after this latest battle. Thankfully no one had injuries too serious. Life quickly went back too normal…well, almost. Now that this threat was beaten, all thoughts were turned back to a certain event that was supposed to take place that week. But, seeing as Hotaru was still very weak from the ceremony and Adrian's near death experience (as Haruka put it.), the two decided to postpone their wedding for another week or so.
That weekend, Hotaru found herself at her father's house. Dr. Tomoe had been very worried of his daughter's involvement in this previous situation. And also of the revival of Mistress Nine, seeing as what her presence in the past had done to them. Hotaru briefly explained everything, and promised to tell him of the incident more in depth that weekend. And so there she was.
"And you're sure that she won't be returning?" Dr. Tomoe asked for the hundredth time.
"Yes Daddy, I'm sure." Hotaru answered for the hundredth time.
"I'm sorry that this happened." He said, looking down, "I should have never kept that thing."
"It's not your fault Dad!" Hotaru said, trying to comfort him, "You had no idea that this would happen."
"And my stupidity almost cost Adrian his life."
"Adrian does not blame you for this, and neither do I. So you shouldn't blame yourself either. Let's just let the past be, ok?" She smiled encouragingly.
"Alright honey." Dr. Tomoe said, and then smiled, "Besides, we have something more important to concentrate on, like someone's wedding?"
"I know Dad! But I don't want to rush things, especially so soon after a battle."
"Adrian and I are getting tired of waiting." Dr. Tomoe smiled.
"Oh I'm so glad you approve of him!" Hotaru joked.
"I would give my little girl away to anyone else. Of course…I had my doubts in the beginning. But, after a few background checks, several applications from him and others he's associated with, and several torture sessions with a certain Ms. Tenoh, I've decided to accept him."
"I see you and Haruka-papa have been conspiring together!" Hotaru exclaimed, trying to sound shocked. "Seriously though, I'm glad you like him."
"Adrian is a fine young man, and I will gladly accept him into this family. That reminds me…" Dr. Tomoe got up and went out of the room, leaving a very wondering daughter.
He came back downstairs after a few minutes, carrying a large white box. Hotaru saw the box and recognized it, as well as what was in it.
"I was clearing out a few things when I came across this." He said and put the box on the table.
"Mom's wedding kimono." Hotaru said sadly.
"I remember our wedding day, and seeing your mother. She looked so beautiful in her wedding outfit. I kept on asking how in the world an angel like Ayami could be marrying me. And now I see you about to be married. You are so much like your mother Hotaru, so kind and elegant and beautiful."
"Daddy, I can't."
"I think you should wear this kimono on your wedding. Let Adrian see his angel too."
"But it isn't right!" Hotaru cried, slamming her fists on the table, "Dad, when I was five, I remember Mom showing me the kimono. She said that she wanted me to wear it on my own wedding day. And I was so excited, because I would get to wear it and make my Mom so proud of me. But that will never happen! Mom will never get to see me in it!" Hotaru started to cry. Her father quietly hugged her and tried to comfort her.
"Is this why you wanted to have a western style wedding?" Hotaru nodded. "Hotaru, I know for a fact how proud Ayami is of you. Nothing would make her happier than for you to wear this kimono on your wedding. And I know that she will be right there next to you." Hotaru looked up, brushed the tears away, and smiled at her father, who smiled right back. "So now you have nothing to wait for! You better hurry before Adrian gets tired of waiting and decides to leave." Dr. Tomoe joked.
However, the joke did not go well with Hotaru in her present state. Her eyes swelled up with tears again and she proceeded into a fit of hysterics, leaving her father bewildered. And it was at this point that Adrian arrived at the house to pick Hotaru up.
"Taru! What's wrong!?" Adrian said, crashing worriedly into the room.
Hotaru stopped crying and looked up at Adrian. In a blur she was across the room and crying into Adrian's chest.
"Adrian I'm sorry for making you wait we can have the wedding anytime now please don't leave meeee!" She cried out quickly.
Dr. Tomoe couldn't take it anymore and began to laugh hysterically. Hotaru continued crying and Adrian continued hugging and comforting her, very confused and very aware that he had missed something.
~
Exactly one week later the entire company found themselves at the Hino temple. After Hotaru had calmed down, she and Adrian had discussed in detail what they were going to do for their wedding. In the end, they decided on a traditional Japanese ceremony with a few customs from the western style incorporated into it, such as vows and the wedding rings. And since Hotaru found it impossible to choose just a couple of bridesmaids from the group of rather over-excited girls, she decided that she and Adrian would enter together.
The wedding was to begin in a matter of moments. Adrian, Dr. Tomoe, and Mamoru were waiting at the entrance, Adrian pacing nervously back and forth.
"Adrian, why don't you sit down and stop making a trail in the floor?" Mamoru said.
"Huh? No thanks, I'm not hungry." Adrian said absent mindedly, receiving a blank stare from Mamoru.
"I'm afraid it's no use." Dr. Tomoe laughed, "You could set fire to his head and he wouldn't know it. I remember being in the same state when I got married."
"Behold my future." Mamoru said, stifling a laugh.
"If you think he's bad now, wait until he sees Hotaru."
"Did someone want to see me?"
All three turned in the direction of Hotaru's voice, and Adrian felt his heart stop. Hotaru was truly breathtaking. Her hair had been pulled up, and little white and purple flowers hung delicately from the back. The kimono she wore was various shades of purple, with silver threads throughout it. Pure white lilies were sewn around the base of the dress and the sleeves. Silver butterflies appeared in several places around the kimono, looking like they were dancing among the lilies.
"I'm sorry I took so long." Hotaru apologized.
"All is forgiven." Dr. Tomoe said and walked over to his daughter, "You look as beautiful as your mother did."
"Thanks Daddy, that means a lot to me." Hotaru smiled and hugged him.
Hotaru took her father's hand, and he brought her over to Adrian. Adrian was fully aware that the bottom of his jaw was probably on the floor, and that his eyes were popping out of their sockets. He couldn't help it as he gazed at this angel before him, his angel.
"I…I…I do." Adrian said.
"Might want to wait until we actually get to that part." Mamoru smiled, "We'll go tell everyone that you're ready."
Dr. Tomoe gave Hotaru one last hug, and he and Mamoru walked in. Adrian continued to stare at Hotaru.
"Taru, you look…amazing." Adrian said, turning Hotaru's face bright red.
He held out his hand to her, and Hotaru smiled and took it.
The wedding party was already in full swing when Adrian and Hotaru arrived at the Outer's house (they couldn't find a hall to reserve in time.). It got even louder when Minako announced to everyone in the Eastern Hemisphere that..
"Mr. and Mrs. Velac have arrived!"
Needless to say, it got very loud.
The night began to turn into day, and the party showed no signs of stopping. Somehow, Hotaru managed to sneak away and into her old room. The room had been repaired (again), but most of Hotaru's things had been taken out and moved into their new house. Hotaru sat by the window and looked up at the stars. She didn't even notice anyone else was in the room until a pair of arms wrapped around her.
"So how long have you been hiding in here?" Adrian said and sat down beside her.
"Not too long." She replied, "I just couldn't stand it. I know it's mean of me, but if I hear one more person say congratulations Mrs. Velac I think I'm gonna scream."
"I'm not too far behind you there." Adrian laughed.
"By the way, what did you say to Haruka-papa? She's been acting strange."
"Oh that. Well she was making some 'comments' about us leaving tomorrow for our honeymoon and I said the only way she could stop us is if she followed us. She didn't say anything, just looked at me kinda funny and walked away."
"…She wouldn't, would she?" Hotaru asked.
"I sure hope not. Anyway, what do you think about starting the honeymoon a little early?" Adrian smiled.
"What about the party? There's no way they'll let us out."
"Easily solved." Adrian said, then opened the window and jumped out, "My dear wife, it would be my honor if you would allow me to carry you over the threshold of our new home."
Hotaru had to refrain from breaking out into laughter. She got onto the edge of the window and jumped into Adrian's arms.
"Lead the way my darling husband!"
"Aye Aye captain!" Adrian said and ran at top speed to their new house.
It was a few hours later that people noticed two individuals missing from the party. Of course, two other people knew exactly where the couple had gone off to. Michiru and Setsuna decided to be as ignorant as everyone else at Adrian and Hotaru's whereabouts, and let the two enjoy their first night together as newlyweds. But there was one question that they didn't know the answer to: Where had Haruka disappeared to?
A/N: So did I do a good job? This chapter took me longer to do than I thought it would. Only one more chapter to go people!
So don't go away yet!
That's right! *excited* You will all enjoy the next one!
And don't forget to review for this one ^_^! See you all in the next chapter!
