Chapter 21: Crashing a Wedding? pt. 2

"You're looking more somber than usual?" Tsukasa looked up to see his mother smiling down at him. "I thought you of all people would be ecstatic that your brother is getting married in a few minutes and that the merger will be finalized in a few days."

"That's if there's a wedding at all." He went back to focusing on the drink he'd been nursing. He didn't know why he still had it in his hands. The ice had long since melted making the scotch watery, dulling the sting.

"What do you mean?" Kaede's face showed her concern.

Tsukasa wasn't in the mood for explanations, his bad night had stretched into a bad morning, day and it was nearing night and there was no sign of a change in the coming future.

However, his silence was not what his mother wanted to hear. She wanted an answer and continued to press rather bluntly for one. "Tsukasa, what do you mean there might not be a wedding?" She grabbed his shoulder when she received a sigh as a response. "What did Sojiro do?"

"Why do you always assume the worst of me?" Sojiro laughed from the doorway.

Kaede turned her attention to the youngest Doumyouji, since her other son wasn't being helpful. "I have never thought badly of you; despite the fact that you rarely give me a reason to think highly of you." She smiled modestly. "Now can you explain to me why your brother thinks there might not be a wedding?"

Sojiro laughed. "Because he's a pessimist." He walked over to his mother and kissed her gently on the cheek. "In fact I was just coming to tell you that the wedding's about to start."

This caught Tsukasa's attention. "So you're going through with it?"

His little brother nodded, more to himself than as an answer. "I realized something earlier. Well, I've known it for a long time, but it's never been something I wanted to put into practice. I realized that loving someone is more about them than you."

"That's beautiful." Kaede sighed pushing her sons out the door.

"I know." Sojiro seemed so proud of his new philosophy. "It's like not being selfish and that's what I've been doing all this time. I could never find the right girl because I was just being selfish."

"I'm so glad you realized the error of your ways." The finish line seemed so close to her. She had successfully guided her boys to the patio entrance when Tsukasa stopped.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Of course he's sure." Kaede insisted patting Sojiro on the back lovingly and pinching Tsukasa's arm hard.

"Yeah, I've never been so sure of anything." Sojiro sincerely smiled as he reached for the door.

"Your father would be so proud of his sons becoming men." Kaede joined in with her son's smile, hoping the sentiment would rub off on the overbearingly morose presence Tsukasa was projecting.

"And you're not doing this for the family right? You're doing this because you love Yuuki, right?" Tsukasa stopped the door from opening.

"What's gotten into you Tsukasa?" Kaede pulled on his arm forcefully, but his eyes didn't blink. He stared down at his brother, making sure that he wouldn't waver.

Sojiro grinned as if he knew some secret that no one else knew. "If you love her that much, you should go back and beg her to forgive you."

Tsukasa's arm and eyes dropped and Kaede continued to feel desperately lost in their conversation.

It was the little brother's turn to be the wise counselor. "Nothing happened between us."

"I don't understand…" Kaede looked at both young men with a very bewildered expression, but Tsukasa didn't let his mother continue.

"Okas-ama, can you please give us a minute." He gently kissed her on her cheek and opened the door for her. "Sojiro and I will be joining you a minute."

She hesitantly agreed and as composed as she could, she found her way to an usher who brought her to her seat.

"Please." Through gritted teeth and a murderous glare Tsukasa signaled for his little brother to continue.

Sojiro nervously looked at the closed doors in front of him. He was so close to freedom. If he could just open them and escape Tsukasa wouldn't dare do anything to embarrass the family. "Look, the reason you couldn't find her last night is because I had made her cry."

"Why?" The glare only deepened.

"Because ..." He cleared his throat nervously. "I tried to kiss her and ... and well, she told me that she loved you. It pissed me off, how could she act like she didn't want me. Of course she wanted me, every woman wants me!" He tapped on his chest vainly, as his nerves calmed and his ego took over. "So, I said some things… some awful things, and when I saw you looking for her it was the perfect opportunity to add fuel to the fire." He nonchalantly shrugged and waved the idea off as if plotting against someone's happiness were common place.

"Why?" Rage was rapidly boiling the blood in Tsukasa's veins.

Sojiro caught a glimpse of the anger that had had him uneasy a few moments before and his glance drifted to the door once more. Tsukasa attributed his little brother's fear to indifference and suddenly slammed him against the patio doors seizing everyone's attention in the garden.

A few startled gasps were silenced by the sudden wave of whispers as gossip replaced small-talk amongst the high society wedding guests. Tsukushi and Tsubaki turned to see what had happened, but quickly ducked down in their seats shielding their faces when Kaede stood from her seat and calmly made her way back up the isle. Cleverly concealing her own contempt for her boys' behavior, she made courteous eye contact with a few guests before reaching the patio doors where she had left her sons a few minutes prior.

"YOU COULDN'T LET ME HAVE ONE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS?" Tsukasa's yell could be heard through the doors.

"What's going on here?" Yuuki's mother came running from the hallway with a procession of bride's maids and groom's men running after her.

"I WAS FED-UP. WEREN'T YOU LISTENING?" Sojiro joined in on the shouting match, pushing back with little success. "LAST NIGHT YOU WEREN'T MY BROTHER, YOU WERE MY ENEMY AND I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY." He calmed down when he saw Yuuki and her friends standing frightened behind Tsukasa. "If I had to be miserable so did you." He hung his head ashamed of what he just said. Watching his bride's face droop slightly with sadness, it was the first time he had realized the extent of pain his actions could cause. "I felt as if… well, if I had to be a prisoner to this marriage…" His voice was small and defeated because he knew he had been cruel and calculating. "I was going to make you prisoner of your own type of loneliness."

Tsukasa slammed him against the doors again, this time cracking the pane of glass before taking a step back and letting him go. "What could I possibly have done to you?" Tsukasa looked so deeply hurt by what his brother did to him. "You told me you loved Yuuki, you told me you wanted to marry her. How…? Why… when did I become the bad guy?"

Kaede casually knocked on the glass, but started to lose her composed demeanor when she received no response. "I don't know what happened in New York," she called to the less than gentlemanly gentlemen on the other side of the door, "but I suggest you leave it in the past and get on with this wedding."

Taking advantage of Kaede's momentary distraction, Yuuki pushed past Tsukasa to block her fiancé from any further attacks. "Your mother's right…" She straightened Sojiro's tuxedo and tried to smooth out the heavy wrinkles. "Let's just get this wedding over with and we can discuss all this later."

Sojiro looked lovingly into his bride's eyes. "Thank you sweetheart, but this isn't something we can just ignore and argue tomorrow."

"No they're right." Tsukasa didn't make eye contact with anyone, he just stood undoing his cufflinks and unbuttoning his tuxedo jacket. "Yuuki's worked very hard for this wedding and some very important people have come from around the world to be here. If this is what you two want, you shouldn't keep your guests waiting."

Yuuki's mother looked to Kaede for some clue as to what had sparked the fight, but shook her head in frustration when it seemed that no one really knew what was going on. Ignoring the melancholic mood that had just spread over the entire room, she ushered the processional to their places pulled Yuuki away from her soon to be husband and ordered Sojiro to his place so he could wait for his bride at the altar.

"So you're not going to be my best man?" He watched as Tsukasa removed his jacket.

"No. I'm not." He clearly stated as he turned to leave.

Sojiro sighed and called to his back. "We're still family. No matter what I did you should at least do this for me since I'm your little brother. Can't you look past yourself and be there when I need you the most?"

"I guess it's finally my turn to be selfish." Tsukasa didn't turn around as he kept walking down that hall leaving the wedding as far behind him as possible.

The nervous groom took a deep breath before turning to the now open patio doors and making his way down the isle with his mother in hand. When he finally stood at the altar he realized how alone he felt with everyone looking at him, but his discomfort didn't last long as the music started and the wedding party marched forward, filling the empty space.

As the music changed to signal the bride, the guests all stood and watched eagerly as Yuuki and her father made their way down the isle. It was beautiful. It was finally turning into everything Yuuki had dreamed it would be, the ultimate debacle had made way for the perfect fairytale wedding. She looked deep into Sojiro's eyes as she made her way toward him and he looked as contented as she did. At last, they were going to have their happily ever after.

Tsubaki could barely stand still as she kept looking back at the patio doors. "Where is that idiot?"

"Maybe he decided not to attend." Tsukushi nudged her gently to try and calm her down.

"Are you kidding me, this is his brother's wedding." One of the guests shushed and Tsubaki spun around. "This isn't a movie it's a wedding people are allowed to talk."

Embarrassed Tsukushi covered her accomplice's mouth and whispered softly in her ear. "Maybe it's not the best idea to make a scene. Remember, we aren't supposed to be here."

"I'd like to see Kaede have me escorted off the premises again. I'll slap that bitch before her S.P's catch me this time. I promise." Three or four people shushed and Tsukushi had to fight desperately to stop Tsubaki from exploding.

When Yuuki reached the altar everyone sat back down and Tsubaki went back to impatiently waiting for Tsukasa to make an entrance, though it seemed very unlikely.

"What's he thinking?" Another loud shush made Tsubaki spring up angrily. "I can't take this anymore." She whispered loudly over to Tsukushi. "I have to get out of here before I dismember someone." With that she tried to nonchalantly make her way out of the row, but when the other guests started to groan and complain she angrily pushed past them until she reached the outer isle.

"You've reached Doumyouji Tsubaki. I'm not available to take your call. Please leave a detailed message and I will return your call at my earliest convince." Tsukasa hung up with out leaving a message. He had already called a dozen times. Where could she be? She always had her cell phone. He looked at his watch; it was half past five. He groaned inwardly. "She's sleeping," he chastised himself, "it's barely three-thirty in the morning there."

A sigh escaped his lips as a tired feeling began to set in. Dejectedly he threw his tuxedo coat into the passenger seat and watched in misery as Sojiro's wedding rings slipped out of the inside chest pocket.

'What a pain in the ass!'

How was he going to get these stupid things to his brother without making a scene? If he went down the isle everyone would talk. If he walked through the garden and came up beside them, everyone would see him coming and start to talk.

Ultimately there was no way to do this unnoticed and they would need them soon. Grabbing his tuxedo jacket and the rings Tsukasa ran back to the garden making up a plan as he went along.

The keys of her cell phone clicked loudly as she finished her text message.

"What are you doing?" Her father asked under disapproving eyes.

She didn't answer, she just made an 'isn't it obvious' facial expression. Her attention was quickly redirected to the vibration signaling a returned message.

-Nothing hap end-

Scoffing at the phone she entered her reply. –Sum ting hd 2 hv hap end, bc shez here- She hit send and tried to pay attention to the ceremony.

"What could be so important that you have to do that right now?" Her mother unsuccessfully grabbed for the phone that vibrated yet again and was pulled out of her reach.

-She sd she was over me-

A smug grin spread over her face. – OMG u mst hv felt lik n ass - I guess she wasnt as in luv wit u as u thot-

"Shizuka give me that phone right now. Honestly you're acting like a child." Her father berated with an outstretched hand.

Her grin was promptly replaced with a sour scowl. "It's Rui."

She knew that that would be all she needed to say to shut them up. Without missing a beat they both smiled happily and ignored her as she continued her texting.

Tsukasa reached the patio doors in time to hear the priest ask if anyone objected to the wedding. 'Good.' He thought as he played with the rings in his hand. 'They haven't missed you guys yet.'

He opened the doors and caught an usher's attention immediately. "Sir!" His look of surprise was not well hidden. "It's a little late to seat you in the front row."

Tsukasa rolled his eyes annoyed with the young man's stupidity. "I'm not staying." He scanned the garden looking for an inconspicuous route to his brother. He could make his way down the side isle crouched down as to not make a scene, but his pride wouldn't allow him to.

'I should just go up there.' He rationalized. 'I'm Doumyouji Tsukasa. I paid for this wedding. If I want to walk down the side isle and give something to my brother what's the big deal.' His resolve was steeling. He was sure of it.

"May I have the rings?"

'Shit!' It had taken him so long to decide on a plan of action that now any chance of a discrete handoff was impossible.

Everyone watched as Sojiro's head bowed a bit with the realization that his brother, who had decided not to attend the wedding, was the one with the rings. His eyes sadly wandered from Yuuki to his mother.

"I have them." All the guests turned to see Tsukasa make his way down the isle. As he handed Sojiro the rings he noticed that both Yuuki and his brother held his hand.

"Please stay." Yuuki smiled sweetly.

"It would mean a lot to us." Sojiro seconded.

It wasn't how he had planned it, but it wasn't a great plan to start with, so what the hell. He nodded in agreement and turned to take his seat.

Tsukushi's heart skipped a beat as she heard Tsukasa's sudden announcement. Her stomach lurched sourly as she watched him walked towards the altar. 'This was a bad idea.' She was glad Tsubaki had left, or she'd probably be making a scene. The best bet was to just get up and leave. So she apologetically made her way out of the row using her hand to try and shield her face, but it was too late.

"Tsukushi…?" He wasn't sure if his eyes were playing tricks on him or what, but she looked just like her. He stood there staring at the woman making her timid escape from the garden. 'It's her. I know it is.'

Everyone stared as Tsukasa made a mad dash up the isle. Sojiro smiled; it had been a long time since he'd seen his brother so passionate about anything.

He came barreling out the patio doors, but he'd lost sight of her. 'Damn it!' He punched the wall in anger and a little yelp from behind him startled the angry giant.

Just as quickly as he'd burst into rage, he stood calm gazing down at her. "I can't believe your really here." His voice was soft. He gently placed his hands on her arms and gracefully tried to pull her close but a swift blow to his stomach shot the air out of his lungs. As he bent over in pain she swung again this time punching him square in the jaw knocking him to the ground. He sprawled out on the floor. 'How embarrassing!' He could fight four or five grown men if he had to, but a little girl no taller than 5'2" maybe 100 lbs soaking wet laid him out with two punches.

"Are you crazy?" Fear had been a claming factor all day, but anger was quickly winning out. "Did you really think I would just kiss you? You probably thought that since you're the great Doumyouji Tsukasa that I would just forget what you did to me last night and I would just forgive you." Tears of frustration welled in her eyes. "Oh wait! You wouldn't think that you did anything wrong, so you wouldn't need forgiveness would you? No… no, the almighty Doumyouji doesn't need anyone's forgiveness." The tears flowed softly down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry." He closed his eyes. What could he say? Nothing he could say would be enough or would correctly project the remorse he felt, but his attention was quickly redirected to the woman straddling his legs raining tears and punches on him.

"I'm sorry isn't going to cut it, Doumyouji!" At first he tried to block the hits, but his arms melted to his sides and he just let her have at him. "I didn't come here for an apology." She was sobbing violently now. "I hate you… I hate you so …much." She could barely lift her fists as she beat on his chest. "How… how can you say that you're sorry?" She laid her head in his chest and cried; his arms wrapped around her as if on instinct alone. "How could you hurt me? You said you loved me."

Despite her struggling against him, he held her tightly. "I wish there was a way to take back what I said. I wish I could go back and spare you the embarrassment or the pain, but even if I could… look I was stupid, confused and hurt, but mostly jealous. I know that that isn't an excuse, but when I couldn't find you and then Sojiro said you were all over him and I thought why would my brother lie to me? Oh, and then the whole Hanawaza thing… I should have just asked you. I should have believed you. I should have respected you that much." He let her go, but grabbed her arms before she could get off of him. "I've been a total ass, and you might never forgive me, but I still love you. Hell, I've tried most of my life to get over you, but I don't think I ever will."

"Yeah, well… that's not enough." She tried to pull herself away from him, but he pulled her into a kiss. She tried to fight at first, but she wasn't over him. She was as mad as a wet cat, but she still loved him and his kisses felt so right.

She still looked a little starry-eyed when he broke the kiss. "Tell me you forgive me."

"No."

He kissed her again; this time deeper and longer, sitting up slightly so that she sat in his lap. She was out of breath this time and he whispered in her ear. "Tell me that you forgive me."

"No." She whispered back.

He flipped her onto the floor and she tried to object, but he rained kisses down her neck breathing a faint "forgive me" with each drop.

The sound of someone coughing behind them brought them both back to their senses. They were in the middle of the hall, right in front of the patio doors. Their heads shot up to see Tsubaki looking at them quite amused.

"I was waiting to see a show." She said candidly.

"That's because you're a pervert." Tsukasa let go of Tsukushi and stood up helping her off the floor. He pushed her behind him because he knew that if he was embarrassed about this she had to be mortified.

"You looked like you were about to undress her and do her right here in the hall and I'm the pervert."

He could feel Tsukushi's face dig deeper into his back. "What's your problem?"

"My problem is that last night you make an ass of my friend and today you're making out with her as if nothing happened. I guess I should expect that from you, you have no idea how to act socially, but I expected better from her."

"Tsubaki…" Tsukushi couldn't even face her ally.

"Yes, Tsukushi?" Sarcasm dripped from her tongue. "Maybe I'm wrong, but fondling Tsukasa wasn't the plan was it? Is this what you wanted to accomplish?"

"The plan was to get into the wedding and find Tsukasa, but even I don't know what we were trying to accomplish." Tsukushi shot back from behind Tsukasa. Her face was hot. She knew she had to be crimson by now. How could she have let herself be swept away? She was supposed to be furious. Frustration had taken the place of anger and Tsukushi pushed Tsukasa out of her way. "Damn it Tsubaki I told you this was a bad idea."

A smile played on Tsubaki's lips. She walked over and pulled Tsukushi's face so close to her own it looked as if they were going to kiss, which made Tsukushi's face redder. "If you love him it's okay to forgive him." She kissed Tsukushi on the nose. "And it's okay to make him work for it too." She shot a wink over at her little brother.

"I have the rest of my life to make it up to you." Tsukasa turned Tsukushi around to face him, only to get punched again.

"I WAS TALKING TO HER YOU JERK!" Tsubaki roared shaking her fist. She turned a dumbfounded Tsukushi around again and smiled sweetly. "He's stupid and he acts like a savage beast, but no one will ever love you as much as he does. He only acts that way because he loves with his whole heart. The idiot is the smartest business man I know, but he doesn't have half a brain when it comes to matters outside the boardroom. So you have to be patient with him. Oh, and if he ever does anything like this again call me. I come and help you kick his ass." The girls exchanged a quick hug before turning back to their punching back.

"I'm still mad at you..." Tsukushi didn't know what to do. She was still angry, but she was also still in love. "…but I forgive you."

"I'll take it." Tsukasa bent over to kiss her when he stopped and looked at Tsubaki. "Do you mind?"

"What!?!" She looked offended. "You were seconds from having sex with her in the hall and now you want privacy?" Pushing past her half brother she went through the patio doors to help herself to the reception. "I guess that's the thanks I get for helping him get her back, ingrate."

"I love you too, Oneechan." Tsukasa turned back to the woman in his arms. "Now where were we?" He bent down again to kiss her, but a hand stopped him before their lips could touch.

"I'm still mad at you." Tsukushi spun out of his grasp and started walking down the hall.

"Hey, I thought we were smoothing things over." Tsukasa absently followed.

She turned around coyly. "Maybe we can sort things out where we won't be interrupted." With that she took off running.

His long legs caught up to her quickly and he grabbed at her waist, but she was able to fight him off. "Stop!" She giggled. "You've already messed up my dress."

"I'm so sorry." He kept trying to pick her up. "Let me help you take it off."

They both erupted in a fit of laughter as he succeeded in lifting her over one shoulder. "This is NOT what I had in mind!" She yelled at his back. "I'm still mad at you!"

"Don't worry, you'll forgive me soon enough." He patted her on her butt.

"TSUKASA! Let me down!!"

He laughed as she tried to wiggle her way out of his grasp. "As soon as I get you to the bed."