Chapter longer than usual but i didn't wanted to cut in the middle. It's finally wedding day ! I enjoyed writing it a lot and I hope you will enjoy it too !
I looked in the mirror. It was perfect as expected from Harada. The indigo blue kimono was paternless except from my personal kamon, bamboos, repeated five times on the sleeves, shoulders and in the back of the neck. The mouse-grey hakama was perfectly highlighting the color of the kimono. They were both in top grade pure silk and were glossy in a refined way, not vulgar.
« Can I come in ? » i heard behind the shoji.
« Ha. » i answered.
The shoji slid open, letting Souji step in.
« I wanted to make a snide comment but you look great. » he said with a smirk. « You're ready ? »
« Ready to ? »
« Do I have to remind you that you're getting married, dummy ? » he chuckled.
« I am married since this morning. » i replied calmly.
« On the paper. Now's the real deal. I think Kondou has prepared a speech. » he handed my a package. « By the way, this is from Kondou. »
I opened the package to find a haori. It was midnight blue in the same silk as my kimono and with five kamon as well but the sleeves were trimmed with white mountains striped and it had a white cord crossed over the chest and tied in the back like our uniforms. Even the « Makoto » was there on the back, under my kamon.
« Kondou said that in love as in battle, the most important is the « sincerity ». He'd thought you'd like to wear the Makoto for this special occasion. »
I nodded, touched by the commander's attention. The Makoto... The Shinsengumi... It was my everything, my family, what I believed in. Wearing it on my wedding day was a great honor.
« Oh and this is from Hijikata-san » he added, handing me a comb « Comb them, oil them, do whatever you like but sort this out. You look like a hobo. It's a direct order, he told me. »
I smiled even if I wasn't really eager to brush my hair. I used to just tie them and let them live but it was true that Chizuru was sometimes having a hard time passing her hands in my hair because of all the knots. I took away my kanzashi and started combing them. It was a direct order after all. It was painful at first but once i started, i continued until they were as soft and shiny as silk. I took my kanzashi to tie them back in my usual side ponytail but i changed my mind halfway through and made a high one. It was changing me a lot. At least, no one could say i didn't make any effort. Satisfied, i grabbed the midnight blue haori and put it on.
« It really highlights your eyes. Ready to drive into battle ? » asked Souji with a smirk.
« May this one never end. » i answered with the same smirk, stepping out.
Souji laughed and followed me to the common room where the men were still preparing all the tables. They put a big table in U shape for all the men and another straight one in front of it for the bridegrooms, the commanders, the captains and two more persons. I knew I was already married since this morning in the eyes of the law but I couldn't help to feel nervous. I was happy though to be able to share this moment with my friends and all the Shinsengumi warriors, independently of their rank.
I heard that Hijikata-san made an announcement while we were stationed at Tenma-ya and now everyone was fully aware that Chizuru was a woman and my wife. Souji told me that Hijikata-san got surprised with how smoothly it went. Everyone reacted positively to the news and Chizuru was considered a Shinsengumi member regardless of her gender. Tetsuya wasn't lying. She really was loved. The Code of Conduct didn't apply to her.
« Chizuru's not there yet ? » i asked Souji, searching for her.
« No, she's in her room with her friend, Sen, and that spy oiran, Kimigiku. »
« Kimigiku ? » i frowned.
« Yeah, I'm sorry I never thought about telling you but that woman wasn't an oiran in the end. She was only there as a spy and is also a demon. She's Sen bodyguard or something. » he explained « anyway, they are preparing Chizuru-chan, I guess. »
I nodded and tried to rest my hand on my katana but I only encountered air. Everyone was wearing their swords except for me. Kondou-san had told me that it could bring bad luck to be wearing something that cuts during our wedding. It could « cut the link » between me and Chizuru and provoke divorce. It felt strange not to have my swords with me but it was better than bringing a bad omen on this union.
« Oy, Saito ! » yelled Nagakura, joined by Harada « man, look at you ! You look like a prince or something ! »
Well, I'm marrying a princess so... And someone told me I had to raise myself to her level.
« Thank you. » i nodded « Harada, thank you for ordering this attire. »
« Well to be fair » he smiled genuinely « i didn't have much to do. Chizuru picked all of it except the haori that was chosen by Kondou but you probably know that already. »
« Chizuru did ? » i asked, surprised.
« Yeah. She knew it would suit you. She also picked her own attire, I had nothing to do in the end appart from agreeing with her. »
« I will have to thank her too, then. » i nodded.
« You're nervous, Saito ? » winked Nagakura.
« I would be lying if I said that I'm not. » i answered but the nervousness wasn't tainting my toneless voice.
« Well you'd better not turn around then because what entered the room will probably make you have a heart attack. » he laughed. « Or worse. You could get a facial expression. »
Of course, the first thing I did was to turn around and I froze when I saw her. She was gorgeous, a true princess. In this moment, I felt so unworthy of her. I was nothing but a man and she was a demon princess, a goddess of beauty and strength.
She was wearing a purple thick uchikake kimono with dyed white, salmon, orange and mauve Zuiun (the auspicious clouds) and embroidered with white and golden flying cranes. The kimono was a furisode and her sleeves were nearly touching the ground. It was trailing behind her and was open on the bottom to show another kimono, solid orange, that was worn underneath, on her nagajuban. It was a good choice because purple wouldn't have been well accorded to her skintone but with the orange patterns and the orange neckline, she was glowing. The obi was white and golden, perfect to remind the crane embroideries.
I smiled when I realized with how much care she chose every aspect of her kimono. The auspicious clouds for happiness in our marriage, the purple color for undying love (and her princess status maybe)... the orange for joy and happiness... and even the cranes, representing lucky omens and longevity as well as her forename, Chizuru, meaning thousand cranes. I realized then that she probably put as much care in my outfit, choosing indigo blue for bravery and fidelity and grey for precision, strengh or masculinity. I should probably ask her later what her intent was.
Her hair were beautifully arranged with cranes and clouds hairpins and her makeup was discreet with only a bit of lipstick, white fondation and red eyeshadow but not as exaggerated as oirans and geikos. It was perfect. She was perfect.
She walked my way and smiled shyly. I noticed that Sen and Kimigiku were with her. I hadn't realized before, my eyes focused solely on Chizuru.
« Saito Chizuru. » i bowed « you are the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. »
She blushed red, embarrassed and I noticed Sen stiffen at the mention of the « Saito » name but she didn't say anything. I guess Chizuru took the time to set her straight.
« Oye Souji ! » yelled Nagakura « you should probably write this down, Saito made a compliment ! »
I ignored him completely, looking solely at Chizuru. I couldn't believe that she was my wife, at last. She was beautiful, strong, intelligent, courageous, dedicated and knowledgeable... and a lot more... Why did this wonderful woman chose me ? A ronin, an assassin ? I will probably never understand.
« Saito Hajime. » she bowed in return « you're the best husband I could have wished for. »
I smiled. I wanted to kiss her but that would be inappropriate in front of everyone.
« What have you done to your hair ? » she asked me.
« I combed them. »
« No, I mean... The high ponytail. » she smiled playfully.
« You don't like it ? » i frowned.
« You look great ! » she laughed « but... you look like Hijikata-san. »
« Now that she's mentioning it... » Souji chuckled with a smirk.
I frowned some more and untied my high ponytail to make my usual side one.
« I didn't wanted you to take it off... » she blushed, embarrassed « It was looking good. »
« I don't want you to be mistaken and quit the party with the wrong husband. » i smirked.
« I would never ! » she yelled with wide eyes before understanding that I was making fun of her. « You're not funny. I think Okita has a bad influence on you. »
« Although I'm not sure Toshi would be that disappointed if he were to leave the party with Chizuru-chan... » added Souji, looking up with a playful grin.
« Okita ! » scolded Chizuru but i frowned. Could it be possible that I stole Chizuru when Hijikata-san wanted her ? I would rather not have had this information, especially on my wedding day.
I saluted both Sen and Kimigiku and welcomed them to the headquarters. I hoped they would not suffer the roughness of our settlement, not suitable to accommodate princesses and demonic aristocracy. But I was relieved to see that they both seemed very happy to be there.
Kondou-san and Hijikata-san joined us eventually and we all sat to share the meal together. Harada told me that my former unit had volontered to cook and serve during the wedding and I thought to myself that I should probably do something in return for them at the end of the day.
Kondou-san asked for everyone's attention and renewed his blessings for our union. I then thanked him aloud for being our matchmaker. Although our marriage wasn't arranged, it was costumary to have an Omiai and since Kondou was the commander, he was the logical choice. Souji whispered to me that I should have thanked him too for pushing his coward friend into the arms of that woman and I smiled. I wasn't a coward but I would be lying if I said that Souji never helped me, in his own, annoying way.
We were brought three cups of sake stacked one on top of the other in a tier for the San-san-ku-do ceremony. Sen did me the honor of pouring the sake and I sipped three times in the smallest cup before handing it to Chizuru who did the same. She then took three new sips from the middle cup and handed it to me so I could repeat the operation. Then I sipped three last time from the largest cup and handed it to Chizuru. She sipped 3 times as well and smiled to me.
The room exploded in greetings as if the paper we filled this morning didn't have any value and that it was now, and only now that we shared this sake, that we were officially married. I grabbed Chizuru's hand next to me. She was mine for everyone to witness.
The trays were brought along with more bottles of sake and the party began, lively. I was pleased to see that everyone was really enjoying themselves, especially Chizuru. She was radiant, shining bright and if it was possible, I would have fallen even more deeply in love with her. My eyes were always getting back to her, her outfit, her makeup, her hair, her eyes... She was so gorgeous. And she was mine. I don't know how many times I repeated this in my head during the ceremony and the party but I just couldn't get enough of it. She was mine.
When we all finished eating, it still wasn't over since we were brought sweets and tea and even more sake. I didn't wanted Kondou-san to spend a single coin for me but clearly, he didn't listen. At some point though, Souji started looking at us with his usual grin and I knew that he just got an idea.
« Can we bring a futon in here ? » he asked to Hijikata-san.
« Souji. » i said firmly « we're not doing this. » my voice was toneless but my eyes threatening and people around us got quiet, realizing the tension that was coming from us.
« I'm sorry, Hajime-kun » he replied with a smirk « but it is tradition. Isn't that right, Kondou ? »
Chizuru was blushing red and her eyes were seeking help in me but I just remained calm and brought a sake cup to my lips.
« It is not necessary since this marriage has already been consumed. » i answered him in Kondou's place, eyes closed to savor my sake. I then opened my icy gaze and looked straight into his emerald eyes « Although, if you need someone to show you how it's done, I'm sure you could find some volonteers in Shimabara. »
Laughter exploded around us at Souji's expenses, dissipating the tension brought by our exchange. He became uncontrollably as red as Chizuru. It was a secret to no one that Souji wasn't really frequenting Shimabara and that he didn't have a lot of experience with women. It was probably mean from me to shove it in his face but well, he asked for it. Regaining his composure, he showed his usual grin again and started laughing with the rest.
« Well played, Hajime-kun » he chuckled « I guess even a tamed wolf still has teeth. »
I escaped a small laugh and kept sipping my sake. Chizuru let out a sigh of relief. I don't even know why she got scared in the first place, I would never had agreed to make love to her in the common room, in front of everyone. We had nothing to prove.
The sun was getting down and we lit some light. Normally, that should have been the point when we would have recieved gifts and Chizuru's trousseau but it was a bit difficult to organize for two people without families like we were. Plus, getting fournitures to decorate our home wouldn't be very practical since for the moment, our home was nothing but a small room in a military headquarter. Chizuru got the traditional tanto though, showing that she was now the wife of a samurai and had to protect his house or die trying. I just hoped she would never have to use it.
The men came to congratulate us one by one before exiting the room as we were still sitting at the table with the commanders, captains and demons. The U shape table emptied itself little by little and I started to acknowledge how tired I was. And drunk. I glanced at Chizuru and she seemed exactly in the same state that I was. She probably drank more sake than she thought reasonable but if you can't get drunk on your wedding day, then when can you ?
Kondou-san noticed how eager we were to leave but he leaned over with a kind smile.
« Would you mind staying just a little while ? I said to the Rasetsu corp that they could have a drink too and it wouldn't be the same without our guests of honor. » he explained « they are Shinsengumi members too, they deserve a bit of fun. »
« Alright. » i nodded.
Two more seats were added at our table for Toudou and Sannan and the Rasetsu corp went on the U table. They were only a dozen because of all the rampage Kazama Chikage did in our ranks. I wasn't really feeling comfortable to be in a room with Rasetsu and without my swords but the others had theirs so I guess Chizuru was safe anyway.
« Congratulations on your wedding, Saito-kun. » said Sannan to me with a wry smile.
« Thank you, Sannan. » i bowed.
Toudou didn't say anything but he smiled and nodded and that was enough for me. I knew his feelings towards Chizuru. That wedding was bittersweet to him.
We drank one last cup with all of them before going to bed. No one tried to refrain us but we got our fair share of snide comments. When we got in our room, I'm not even sure we undressed ourselves. It was our wedding night but we were both so exhausted and drunk that we collapsed on the futon and fell asleep immediately in each other's arms.