Haruhi really thought about not going to the ceremony, in light of the recent events. Yet, if she didn't, Tsune really would have won. Even if Tama and Souji were to be wed, Haruhi wouldn't let that snake savour her victory. She would be there, to annoy her until the end, and for Souji, who asked her to be with him in that moment.
She took a deep breath and entered the Shieikan. There were already guests, mostly people that she didn't even know, probably invited by Tsune. She couldn't see Shin nor Souji and so, she waited without mingling with the others. She wasn't in the mood for small talk.
« Hi. » said a woman with a big smile « are you invited by the groom or the bride ? »
« Both. » answered Haruhi politely to be diplomatic « I'm Fujita Haruhi, I work here. »
« Oh ! I didn't know there were employees here ! » she bowed « It must be a lot of work to clean everything. At least, Tama-san will have some help. »
« I think you're mistaken » bowed Haruhi « I'm not a maid. I'm the kenjutsu instructor. »
« Oh ! Pardon me ! » she bowed again « My apologies for my rudeness. I am Yamazaki Wakako. »
« Enchanted to meet you, Yamazaki-san. » bowed Haruhi to be polite even if she had no desire to carry a conversation, her eyes skimming through the crowd for familiar faces.
« I was invited by Tsune-san. » she continued « I was Isami's sister but I don't know if you ever met him. »
« Actually I did. My condolences for your loss. Kondou-san was an exceptionally kind man. Did you know if your brother had planned that wedding for Tama for years ? » asked Haruhi with interest.
« I can't tell you... Isami and I weren't really close and we weren't seeing each other often. But that's what Tsune-san told me. I can't believe the little Tama-san is already a woman. I've known her since she was that tall ! I personally have a son I'd like to wed too, let me introduce you to Sanjurô... »
Nope. No way. I'm out.
« Excuse me, it's been a pleasure but I need to greet someone. » said Haruhi, escaping.
« Oh, I'll see you later, Fujita-san ! Don't worry ! » said the woman with a smile.
In the reception, anyone could see she was alone and her long sleeves were indicating she was unmarried, making her a target for anyone looking for an omiai. If Kurozawa-sensei had come, he would have been a barrier for her since people would have adressed him directly, assuming he was the man responsible for her. She wasn't really in the mood for marriage proposal when Souji was about to be snatched from her.
« Haru-chan. » she heard and she turned over.
« Souji. »
He was wearing his red haori and kimono with his kamon, and his white hakama, of perfect length.
« It's still too red, right ? » he chuckled before his expression took a more tender turn « You look gorgeous. »
« Th... Thank you... » she stuttered as Souji took a loose lock of her hair to put it back in her bun.
« I'm glad you're wearing it. » he said, his fingers brushing on her silver kanzashi « You're the most beautiful girl here. »
« Your bride hasn't arrived yet. » stated Haruhi « You'd better not speak like this in front of her. »
« I won't. » he winked, attempting to lighten the atmosphere « Is she ready ? »
« I don't know. » sighed Haruhi « I left before the end. »
« What happened to your cheek ? » he asked, his fingers carressing it.
She took a step back. That was inappropriate and guests might be looking. She couldn't let Souji's fingers touch her in public, especially at his wedding.
« Your mother-in-law slapped me. » she stated « It's fine, it doesn't really hurt. It's just a bit red but it's fading. »
« What did you do ? » frowned Souji.
« Why do you assume I did something ?! » she hissed « It's that snake, she insulted me and I took it with patience but I wasn't gonna let her do it for hours ! »
« Okay... » sighed Souji « I will ask Tsune-san about it and get to the bottom of this. Then, I'll make her apologize if needed. »
« That's not the point. I don't care for her apologies. » said Haruhi, crossing her arms « You look good. Enjoy this day. »
« Haruhi. » he said, catching her arm as she was turning around « Don't go. »
« I'm not going anywhere. » she said « I'm gonna look for Shin and wait for Tama. »
« I know this is hard... » he started.
« Let me go, Souji, please. » she said « You're gonna attract eyes. »
He let go of her arm grudgingly and she went away to look for Shin. She eventually found him. He had just arrived with his family and he saluted her, crushing her in his strong arms.
« Haru-chan ! You're so pretty ! » he smiled « If only Saito could see you. What's that in your hair ? »
« A gift... » she muttered « from Souji. Good afternoon, Nagakura-san, Sanosuke-kun. »
« I was gonna ask if that idiot came back to his senses but if we're here, guess not... » sighed Shinpachi « how you're doing ? »
« I'm fine. » she nodded, assured.
« Souji told me you both had something going on and that you broke up. »
« Yeah, that's basically what happened. »
« Why are you still here, Haru-chan ? » he asked very seriously « If you didn't care about Souji, you'd be long gone. If you do care... This must be painful. »
« I'm fine. » she repeated « I accepted it. Souji's doing his duty accordingly to Kondou-san's wishes. »
« You know, I'm pretty sure Kondou never wanted this. » said Shin, crossing his arms.
You don't say... I'm well aware, thank you !
« You know something, Shinpachi ? » she asked, full of hope.
« Nope... » he shook his head « I asked Heisuke too but nothing. We have never been much in Kondou's confidence. Maybe Hijikata knew... Souji would have known too but he's got amnesia... So I guess we only can rely on the word of his wife... »
« She's a liar... » hissed Haruhi « But I can't prove it... It's too late now. »
« Souji is the only one who can decide anyway. » sighed Shin « I'm sorry kid. If you wanna go home, I'll take you. It's too dangerous for a girl to travel alone. »
« Thank you, Shinpachi. » she smiled faintly, a bit of warmth in her frozen heart.
« Bride's here ! » she heard from afar.
Haruhi and Shinpachi's family turned to see Tama arrive. With her hair arranged and her makeup on, she looked older, more woman and less child despite her round face. Her red and white furisode was suiting her perfectly and she was wearing a Tsunokakushi (horn hiding hat) even if Souji refused the shintô ceremony. She really was pretty and Haruhi couldn't help but feel jealous. She would give everything to be in her place.
« Kondou Tama-san. » said Souji with respect, bowing to her « You are a rare beauty. »
« Oki... Tsunashi Sou... Souji-san » she bowed in return « I am ho... honored to b... become your wife... »
Poor Tama was so nervous that she couldn't help but stutter and Souji smiled gently to reassure her which had the exact opposite effect. She became as red as her furisode and shivered with anxiety.
« Lets all sit. » said Souji not to embarrass his bride any longer.
Tsune, in a orange obi and a black formal kimono with Kondou's kamon on it, three horizontal lines in a circle, guided Tama so that she followed Souji since he couldn't do it himself for the moment, forbidden to touch her before she became his. She sat near her daughter, at Souji's right, and Shinpachi took his left, followed by his family and then, Haruhi. All the other guests followed and the ceremony began.
« I would like to thank Kondou Tsune » bowed Souji as suitable « for being our matchmaker and making this marriage possible. We will not forget how we owe her for this opportunity. »
« Thank you, Tsunashi Souji » replied Tsune with a smile « I have a full confidence in you for taking care of my daughter. »
They exchanged courtesies and gifts while Tama stayed silent next to her new husband, not batting an eye, docile and submissive. She startled when they eventually asked her to participate for the san-san-ku-do, the three cups of sake in which she was supposed to take three sips in each and share with her husband, sealing their marriage. Tsune also drank from the cups, uniting the two families and not only the couple. If Souji still had relatives, his parents would have drunk too.
Cheers erupted and words of congratulations for the newlyweds. The only ones not smiling were Tama and Haruhi. Even Souji was able to politely smile and accept the joyful banter. Plates were served along with alcohol. Not enough alcohol. Haruhi wanted to be so drunk that she'd forget that day ever happened. Tsune on the contrary, was glowing with bliss and proudness to have her little girl married to such a good husband who would take care of the both of them. Souji got offered Tama's trousseau, which was essentially the Shieikan but also a bit of furniture, and Tama got offered a tanto, a normal gift for the wife of a samurai. It was a reminder that she was the wife of a bushi and that she had to defend his home and his children when he was away, or die trying. If she were to be sure to be captured, she was supposed to use it to slit her children's throats then hers, to avoid it. Of course, in this era of peace, it was just a symbolic gift.
Haruhi caught Souji's gaze a few times, looking at her with these apologetic eyes, and she tried to smile to him but she just couldn't. She didn't have the force.
When the dinner was over, Tama was brought to the room Souji had prepared for her and all the guests departed with congratulations, one by one. Haruhi stayed to help and clean the dishes with the people who cooked and Tsune stayed too, to supervise. Souji fled to the dojo master quarters with a bottle of sake but no one was alarmed by that behaviour. He had all night to come and visit Tama and he probably would do it when everybody would be gone.
« Maybe you should wear a Tsunokakushi too, Haruhi-san » said Tsune snidely while Haruhi was cleaning some plates « I've seen the horns of jealousy pop on your head quite a few times during the ceremony. Too bad this hat is reserved to brides and not courtesans. »
If only that were true and I had horns like my brothers... I would impale you on it. Unfortunately, I'm a pure blood human and not a half-oni...
Haruhi kept her cool and worked in silence. Tsune had won anyway. She just wanted to rub Haruhi's nose in it and she wouldn't fall in the trap. She remained calm and finished her work under Tsune's supervision, ignoring her superbly.
The Shieikan eventually emptied itself, appart from Haruhi and Tsune and the newlyweds, each in their room. Tsune wished Haruhi a good night and asked he to give her salutations to Kurozawa-sensei and Haruhi sweeped the floor, alone. She knew it wasn't her job anymore and that Souji would have frowned to see her still here but she was feeling sick at the idea of leaving the Shieikan. As if Souji couldn't go and visit Tama as long as she was there, which of course, was stupid. When she was finished, she heard ruckus coming from Souji's quarters and the recognizable sound of exploding ceramic.
Souji ?
She decided to ignore it and she closed the windows but her curiosity and fear that Souji was losing control made her change her mind. She walked down the hallway, hesitant to find Souji in his room, and not knowing in which state of mind he could be.