It was May.
It was it.
[Hotaru's POV]
The time had come for Mikan and her beloved to officially be united as one, and the day, once it passes, can't undo the future after that. Because when Mikan slips her hand in Youichi's, she is officially his.
I sniffed at the thought.
I was one month pregnant with a baby boy. Hopefully, the boy could be as level-headed and cold as I was, but I want to the boy to be warm and understanding.
Like Mikan.
"Hotaru, why are you crying," Ruka came behind from me, secretly spotting that I was by myself, shedding tears as she desired.
"Mikan, after today, will not be in my arms anymore," I let tears spring out of my eyes, because this was the truth I knew was bound to happen. But despite this, I refused to let it happen, and would always lift my Baka Gun to ward off the thought. Mikan was mine, only mine.
But after today, she won't be mine all the way.
She will also be lover boy's.
But if it made her smile, I am willing to let her do this.
Because we made a bond, it is hard to feel that Mikan might leave me.
"She will never leave you Hotaru. She has too much of an attachment to you as a big sister. She will always love you, remember that," Ruka stroked my short black hair, as I wept.
"I know," I said, trying to sound arrogant, but failed miserably.
Because, Mikan, my heart will always be with you, you and yours only.
I can't imagine being away from you.
"Well," I said, making a false attempt to be cheerful, "Mikan needs to be prepared for her wedding. Go make sure the gray-headed lover boy is ready as well."
"You still won't call him by his name Youichi?" Ruka shook his head in mock disappointment.
"Nope, and never will," I crossed my arms to show off how stubborn I am by heart.
"Fine, fine, whatever you say, Ice Queen," he did a mock bow and walked off to where Youichi might be getting ready.
With a little hmph at his mocking nature, I walked to a large room where there was bustling and rustling of dresses.
I opened the door, and smiled at the image I saw before my eyes.
"Mikan-chan, try THIS dress on," Anna pushed a heavy lace dress that might drown Mikan underneath the weight.
"No! She's gonna wear this one!" Nonoko had a dress that was complete with a long trailing end, too long for a bride's dress.
"You guys! Neither of those two fit her!" Sumire snickered, "THIS one captures her essence!" she then brought an extra short white dress with a semi-long veil and really high heels. To flirtatious.
Mikan isn't flirty.
"What do you think of the three, Hota-chan?" Mikan wearily propped her head her palm. Her hair was long, to the mid-section of her back. She didn't struggle with having a split between her bangs, as she wants it to be natural, like her mother's.
"None, really," I said honestly.
"WHAT?!" the three screamed.
"The one Anna chose out could drown Mikan underneath the weight of the lace," I pointed to Anna's selection, "And the boots don't go with the dress." Anna nodded, agreeing.
"Nonoko's selection has a long trailing end that is too long that even with the end, she will trip miserably, and the sandals aren't something a bride would wear," I reasoned with Nonoko. The blue-haired looked at her dress with embarrassment, and then nodded eagerly understanding what I was trying to point out.
"And Sumire's selection is too short, the end of the dress goes to the mid of her thighs, and the dress has a low cut in the chest area exposing her chest a little. Too flirtatious as Lover Boy would be enraged to find his bride luring in several men. And Mikan will definitely trip in the 3 and a ½ high heels," I told her.
Sumire to my surprise, smiled and said, "Hmm, yeah you have a point. Too flirty is not the theme of the wedding."
I smiled when all of them understood my message.
"You three try to decorate the wedding hall and arrangements, and get ready yourselves. You are the bridesmaids, you know," I winked at them.
They smiled and nodded.
"Okay, Hotaru! Make her pretty!" they yelled. Then they dashed out the door like little 6-year-olds chasing candy trails.
"Pssh, not pretty. I will make Mikan radiant," I smirked.
"So what dress do I wear?" Mikan asked with pure curiosity.
"Must you ask too many questions, darling? Let me work magic on you, and promise me, you will look dazzling," I rolled my eyes.
Mikan did the same, with a few giggles and let me work my magic.
I started with makeup. She looks beautiful enough without it, but a little could help accentuate her pure innocence and radiance from her heart.
So, I did a little bit of a dark pink blush on her cheeks, and did dark eyeliner of her eyes, to bring out the boldness of her amber eyes. Her lashes were naturally long so I didn't want to make her seem like hideous with fake lashes. And for her lips, I did a bright rose red lipstick, using my perfectionist character to make sure the lipstick didn't go out of bound. Then for a beautiful shine, I made sure to apply a thin coat of clear lip gloss.
She was naturally pretty.
As I finished her makeup, I was starting to cry.
"Hota-chan? Why are you crying?" Mikan noticed my tears, dammit! Where is my cold façade when I need it?
"Soon you will be out of my arms," I sniffed, furiously rubbing at the diamonds that were hitting her shoulder and bursting into tiny droplets, "And you will be far away from me."
"You shouldn't think like that, Hotaru," her eyes became serious. She only called me by my full first name when she was serious.
"I will always be close to you, and will always find time out of my day to tease you to death. So don't say that once I say, 'I do' will I officially be gone from your life," she took my face in her arms.
It struck irony. Tease me to death? The silly girl. Normally I would want to hit her with a Baka Gun right now, but I am filled with so much tears that I can only weakly nod and smile.
At least we have a bond.
"Now for your hair," I choked.
This was too painful, just slowly watching her unfold into an epitome of beauty that will unfold and be claimed by Lover Boy. I can sure make fun of Youichi in my times of irritation.
*note my sarcasm there*
I took a curling iron and divided Mikan's long hair into top section, middle section and lower section. Taking my time, I would patiently curl a tuft of hair around the curling iron, leave for roughly 10 seconds and slowly release it.
It took a full 30 minutes to work all of the sectioned parts curly. As for her bangs, I left it straight and cute. Straight, immaculate bangs make such an adorable contrast with her curled hair.
She was ready.
I took out the dress out of the package I lugged in with me, which was a long dress that reached her ankles and had a bit of a trail that is supposed to be carried by a bridesmaid. It had long, beautiful sleeves that had a cuff-like structure at her wrists with flowers as buttons, with a zipper ran down the back of the dress. As for the dress shoes, flats would be inappropriate. But knowing Mikan and her wholehearted hate for heels, then 1 and ½ heels would be perfect, open-edged at the tip, and a zipper running down the back of the heels. Lastly there was a veil that she was to wear on the crown of her head. It went down to her back, and covered her face *when she does wear it*.
I smiled at her and said, "Put it on."
She gingerly nodded and went into the changing area and took her time, easing herself slowly into the shoes, then the dress, and then the veil.
"Hota-chan, can you help me with the zipper?" she came out trying to tug the sneaky little zipper that wouldn't zip up.
"My god, Mikan, did you get that fat?" I smirked.
"Sure," she sarcastically rolled her eyes and I tinkled with laughter. Oh how I am going to miss teasing her to the brim.
"Fine," I snorted, and went over to help with her pesky little zipper. I zipped it up, completely happy to find that the dress fit her like a glove.
"So you really aren't fat after all," I chuckled to myself.
"Thanks," and again the sarcasm in her voice.
I laughed whole-heartedly and then, wiping the mirth of my laughter out, perfectly adjusted the veil on the crown of her head, happy to know that the veil covered he face. He has to do the honors of lifting it.
My heart tightened as I lifted her bouquet of her favorite flowers: blue irises, white roses, white jasmine flowers, and white daisies. Most of the flowers were almost childish, revealing her boyish and childlike nature, and white to represent how pure she is, and blue to represent her favorite color which depicts as her need for constant need for hugs, kisses, affection and love.
Yep, blue suits our Mikan, the constant ray of sunshine in our lives, needs constant love to stay so bright.
"Thanks, Hota-chan," she sent me a tiny smile meant for me and only me.
I smiled and led her out the door.
Behind the grand doors, where she will come through and meet her beloved, and slip away from my arms forever…
"Hotaru…" her warning voice came from no-where.
I jumped. She read my mind again, did she use her Mind-Reading alice she acquired?!
"FYI, I am not using any acquired alices. I am doing something what all non-alices do: 'reading facial expressions', how great is that?" she rolled her eyes.
"But I didn't make an expression," I protested.
"Hotaru, out of all people, you should know that I can read you inside out like an open book. This is something only I can do. And vice-versa. Right now I just read a bit of sadness traced on your face although you are normally poker-faced like Natsume-kun. You are still thinking that I will leave your arms forever once I say 'I do'. Do know Youichi isn't the type to whisk me away once we are married. He knows how much you and the others are very much important to me, so he will make sure I am as close as possible to you as I can get so I can be happy," she said, poking my cheek.
My eyes widened. So we will never be apart.
"C'mon here, crybaby," she murmured.
She was right. Tears were falling down my cheeks.
"But I don't want to ruin your dress," I protested.
"Because I want one hug from my pokerface sister before I get married," she rolled her eyes and held her arms out.
I leaned in and hugged her shoulders tightly, letting my tears fall onto her shoulder. What a beautiful lady Mikan turned into. All the times we spent together, Mikan, remember them for me…because I want our children to meet and complete the bond.
So we will be never separated.
I sniffed, and checked my watch. 7:30 p.m.
"Mikan, I got to go and sit next to Ruka. But do know I will be recording all of this," I smiled to her.
A look on her face questioned me if I was on my usual blackmailing routine of always having a camcorder in my bag and a camera in hand like at Alice Academy.
I shook my head and held my Canon Camcorder, "To seal in the most memorable moments."
She softly smiled and said, "I like that."
I hugged her quickly, let go and walked through the doors. But not before saying, "You will love your ring."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because I had picked it out, much to Lover Boy's sadness," I smirked, and she laughed, her voice dancing like silver wedding bells.
I walked through the doors, and walked down the rows of seats to where Ruka was sitting on one of the white chairs, next to Natsume and his lovey-dovey wife, Hannah and Mike behind us.
I punched Ruka in the shoulder, "Quit chatting. It's gonna start."
"Ow, Hotaru darling! No need to be so rough!" he dramatically rubbed his shoulder.
"And Ruka darling no need to have teary eyes," I fake-smiled at him, a dark aura building up around me.
"Y-yes ma'am," he shuddered.
"Thank you," I said curtly, and flipped my camcorder on and zoomed in on Lover Boy's face.
Through the screen I saw his annoyed face turn to me, and I pushed the 'record' button to start filming the ceremony.
"Now the bride is entering!" an announcer came.
We all snapped our heads in the direction of the doors.
The doors opened to reveal a cute little girl in a cute white lacy dress, lacy stockings, lacy headband, and lacy gloves, giggling and skipping as she showered red rose petals on the lush red carpet.
Yep that was the flower girl: Yaya Hyuuga, that obnoxious pair's cute 3-year-old daughter. She reminded me how Mikan was when we were little and would be the 'flower girl twins' at any wedding for our relatives.
If they would say only one then we would refuse. But, of course, they would have to have us because we were irresistibly cute.
Everyone awed and cooed at Yaya's cuteness as she finished making a trail of rose petals down the carpet and sat in her seat in the front row.
The doors opened again to see Mikan, in her all beautiful dress, and her epitome of radiant beauty.
[Mikan's POV]
I walked in, slowly, shyly, looking at the floor, as my bridesmaids, Anna (on my left in front) and Nonoko (on my right in front), two American friends I made in America in the back of my left and right side. Holding the trail of my dress was none other than Sumire Shouda who spent a week arguing that she will be the one to hold my trail end of the dress and only her.
I smiled at the memory, and walked up the pale steps as the bridesmaids from both of my sides left and went to the first row of seats. Sumire dropped the tail end of my dress and followed the twins and my other two friends.
I turned around to come face to face with Youichi.
"You are so beautiful, even though the veil obscures the view," he breathes.
I smile, "But you will lift it soon, won't you?"
"I know," he smiled at me gently.
The priest cleared his throat to calm down the cheering crowd that broke out when I came through the huge double-doors of the church.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a Canon Camcorder with a flashing red dot. Hotaru…thank you.
Mikan…
I want you to have the experiences your father and I weren't able to experience. Make friends, laugh, smile, and joke around.
I want you to be happy even if father and I can't be there for you. I want you to find the love that will not love you for your looks or your powers.
I want a person to love you for your inner radiance. Because, Mikan, when you find that person, you will understand how colorful life and love will become with that person.
Although I am sorry that I can't be with you, I hope, Mikan, that you will be safe and happy.
I am sorry, but from this sorrow, find your hope and love…
That it my only wish…
Mom's wish rung through my ears. She wanted the best for me. The love from my dad and mom could not be described as any description would be an understatement of their love for me.
I closed my eyes and opened them to meet Youichi's eyes through my veil.
Emerald, like my birthstone, flashed happiness to me.
"Do you, Youichi Hijiri, take Mikan Sakura Yukihira to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest casted a glance to Youichi who warmly smiled at me as he spoke his vow.
"I do," he said with determination in his voice. It warmed my heart.
"Do you," I almost jumped when the priest now casted a questioning gaze at me for my answer, "Mikan Sakura Yukihira, take Youichi Hijiri to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," my voice was surprisingly calm and firm.
A little boy in a cute little black tux and bowtie came with a velvet pillow with two rings on it.
Youichi slipped my ring on my left ring finger. Hotaru was right: the ring was white gold with a medium diamond surrounded several little emeralds (my birthstone) and several little sapphires (Youichi's birthstone.
I took Youichi's ring and slipped it on his left ring finger.
I guess he likes simple rings because his was just a thick gold band.
"If anyone has an objection, speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest stressed importance on the words.
The whole room tensed up. Youichi held my hands in a death grip if any guy decided to spring to his feet or barge in and yell, "I object."
I paled if in case a bratty girl with flirtatious make up and super-short dress and high heels were to barge in with a sickening clutch and yell for me to get away from her 'future husband'.
Oh the irony.
When nobody spoke up, the priest softly smiled, and said, "I pronounce you husband and wife."
My heart leapt and it took all my will not to jump up and down like a little child.
"You may kiss the bride now," the priest smiled to Youichi.
Oh god…
Pale, strong hands slightly pinched the end tips of the veil, and lifted them over my face and tucked it back.
I guess that I was looking at the ground because two warm fingers found a spot underneath my chin and tipped it towards his face.
My husband's face. I inwardly smiled at the thought.
He sucked in a breath and said, "You are so radiant, Mikan, just like your heart."
I knew I found the one. And above this church, high up in the heavens on soft cotton candy clouds, where angels roamed, were my parents, dangling their feet on a puffy one where they sat, surely smiling at me with their hands holding each other's…
And surely their voice said down to me, "Congratulations Mikan. You found your light."
Tears wanted to fall as Youichi leaned in and sealed our love with a warm kiss. One that lasted for 5 seconds, but enough to make sure our love for each other were limitless and would always carry on.
I love you mother and father, for guiding my heart to my one true love.
Goodbye, until we meet again…
[Hotaru's POV]
The crowd went wild after the happy pair kissed. This was all going in my camcorder as, "Mikan's White Veil Occasion".
Once I get the clip on my computer I will name it that and burn it onto a DVD for it to be etched forever and ever.
I felt a twinge of sadness as Mikan and Youichi walked down the aisle and sat in the car with 'Just Married'.
Yep, the famous violinist found her true love in the end. Cupid sure did a good job. I guess I won't murder him with my Baka Gun.
Yet.
Stay tuned for the last chapter! The next one will be the finale to my story, "A Chance to Start Again"!
And the winner of the naming contest is chosen! Look at my last chapter for who the possible winner could be! Thank you guys for sending nice reviews when I felt no inspiration to continue. I felt writing this story had opened my mind up and cleared my head. And those kind hearted people who faviorited the story made my day!
Thank you, and may the ending be as you desired.
I might do a RukaxMikan fanfic sometime soon! It was requested by a lot of my fellow readers and guest readers.
Ja ne, Gakuenians!
InfiniteSnow (previously MetallicTitanium)