January 1875
It was so strange. It was her kimono and she already wore it once, she knew how to put it on. Having Chizuru-neechan and Tama dressing her was feeling really odd.
« Souji's back, right ? » asked Haruhi, juste to be sure she wasn't doing all that for nothing.
« He's back. » assured Chizuru « he saw Hajime, it's fine. He arrived in the night. »
« Good. » she answered, flustered « that idiot worried me. »
So he didn't flee then. He really was back in time to marry her according to his word. That was warming her heart more than it should have but her trust in Souji had been severely damaged during the past months.
« How are you feeling, Haru-chan ? » asked Tama with an enthusiastic smile « I remember how scared I was when I married Sou... When I married. »
« I'm... serene. » she answered, thinking « it's strange. I don't feel anxious or scared but I don't feel elated either. Should I, Chizuru-neechan ? »
Chizuru was more indicated than Tama to answer that question. She married out of love just like Haruhi was about to do it too.
« I was elated. » chuckled Chizuru « and anxious and scared even if I was already in a relationship with your father at that time so marriage was just to make it official. But don't worry. Everyone reacts differently and maybe your mind hasn't realized yet. Are you sure your mind is set on that blue kimono ? It's not too late to take the yellow one. »
« No. » she shook her head « I'm wearing the blue one. »
« Why did you choose that one ? » asked Tama, curious.
« Because Souji likes it... » she blushed, embarrassed « he was the one to ask me to wear it on, hum, your wedding... and he said he was picturing me in blue at my wedding. »
« I like it too. » smiled Tama « it really suit you well. When we married, Souji was looking at you all the time instead of me. Okaasan was very annoyed with it, since she put so much care in my makeup and attire. She was worried he wouldn't join me... I wasn't sad though. I never wanted to marry him in the first place. »
Haruhi nodded, letting the two women wrap her obi around her. This sash was the only difference with her attire at Souji's previous wedding. It was an obi a lot more formal, wide and long, that her father and Chizuru had brought for her. When they were finished, they made her kneel to take care of her hair since the two women were shorter than her. They made a big formal bun with her ebony hair and decorated it with Souji's silver headpiece with the blue flowering quinces. Chizuru took some makeup out of the cupboard and Haruhi pouted at the sight.
« Do I really have to ? » she asked.
« You're the bride, Haruhi. » she sighed « You need to wear some. »
« Souji sees me without makeup everyday and he will see me without all the days to come... » she grumbled.
« You're a samurai daughter. » she stated « you're marrying a samurai... »
« Innkeeper daughter. » she corrected « marrying a policeman. »
« Not today. » stated Chizuru « Your father has also invited his former commander in Aizu, the Ichinose and other Aizu retainers, including the ones who made an offer for you, it wouldn't have been proper not to invite them... and so, you need to be perfect. Consider yourself lucky he's letting you wear blue and not forcing you to pick a color more fitted for a wedding. »
« I never asked him to invite so many people... » she grumbled while Chizuru was applying the white foundation « the Shiranui are there ? »
« Yeah. » nodded Chizuru « all of them. Akira came without his wife and children. And you know, your father doesn't really have much choice. We are able to hide here and live peacefully thanks to Aizu retainers and their silence. The commoners may not know that we are more than mere innkeepers but the samurais aren't fooled. You have to realize that we are protected everyday by policemen, administrators and other men in high positions in the new government who know very well that we are Saito. »
« But I'm not marrying an Aizu retainer... » she protested.
« It doesn't matter. » cut Chizuru, now applying the rouge on her lips « you still have to honor your father. »
« I'm gonna take care of all the guests and everything at the inn while you'll be at the temple » said Tama with a lot of enthusiasm « you don't need to worry about anything ! »
The temple ceremony would only be with the both of them and her family. Normally, Tama should have come too, as Souji's daughter, but she refused. She was afraid her presence could ruin the ceremony since she also was his ex-wife... She wanted Haruhi and Souji to enjoy their wedding without bringing back sorrowful memories to them. They told her it was stupid but she wouldn't change her mind and was so eager to help for the party instead that they let her do what she liked, even if they were disgruntled with her choice.
« Hey, can I come in ? » she heard Souji's voice behind the shoji.
« She's not ready yet. » protested Chizuru.
« Perfect. » he chuckled, sliding the shoji.
Just like he said, he was in white. He reused his white hakama and red kimono from his previous wedding and put a white haori on top with his kamon. He really was dashing. Just the change of haori was enough to make him look handsome and Haruhi blushed at the sight, hoping he wouldn't notice under her foundation. Chizuru frowned and put her fists on her waist.
« I told you she wasn't ready ! » she scolded « Don't you wanna see her all perfect ? »
« I don't care. » he shrugged absently, taking Haruhi by the shoulders and making her turn on herself, eyes sparkling « I'm back. You missed me ? »
« I thought maybe you'd be late... » she muttered.
« Never. » he leaned over to kiss her.
« Souji, you got rouge... » said Tama, embarrassed.
« Souji ! » scolded Chizuru « stop ruining my work ! And you're not supposed to kiss her ! Please behave during the party, don't bring shame on Hajime ! »
Chizuru pushed Souji out of the way and put more rouge on Haruhi's lips before asking her to close her eyes for the eyeshadow.
« Where were you ? » asked Haruhi.
« Hino. » he answered.
« You're kidding me ?! » she yelled « that was freaking dangerous ! Do you have a death wish because it really seems like it and I'd like to know before marrying a suicidal man ! »
« Stop freaking out, kitten. » he patted her head.
« Souji, her hair ! » yelled Chizuru, pulling his hand away.
« Have you seen my mother ? » asked Tama shyly « Is she okay ? »
« She seems fine. » answered Souji with a smile « but as you can imagine, I didn't really go to ask her. »
Tama nodded but she seemed to be reassured that her mother was doing okay even without her and the Shieikan.
« You didn't answer my question. » frowned Haruhi, still keeping her eyes shut.
« I went to bring water back. » he answered genuinely « we're having an old school ceremony. We need water from our hometown. »
« You put yourself in such a danger for water ? »
« If I had kept it two months, we couldn't have drunk it. » he stated « and since I was there, I also brought the potter back. »
« Kurozawa-sensei ? » she asked, surprised but delighted.
« Himself. » he nodded « It was kind of a kidnapping though. That old fool wouldn't follow me. I carried him back here. I knew you'd be happy to have him attend the wedding. Shin'll bring him back. »
« Chizuru. » said Hajime behind the shoji « Is she ready ? »
« I guess it'll do. » sighed Chizuru « You can open your eyes. »
Haruhi did and looked at herself in the mirror. Apart the makeup, it was really nice. She felt like she wasn't herself though, more like a doll or a puppet. She turned to Souji and he smiled to her genuinely.
« What do you think ? » she asked shyly.
« You could have worn rags and you'd still be the prettiest girl here. »
« Is that so ? » she muttered, redirecting her gaze to the mirror.
« Don't worry. » he smiled, putting his strong hands on her shoulders behind her and looking at her reflection « You could put as much makeup as you want on that face and it'll never be enough to hide your vibrant personality. I'm not fooled. I know you're not as docile as your face suggests. »
He leaned even closer and she felt his breath in her neck and ear, his emerald eyes still piercing her in the mirror and his thin lips tainted with her rouge curled into a smirk.
« And I'm looking forward to unveil the real you. » he whispered.
« Souji, don't even think about touching her skin, we have no time to redo her makeup if you ruin it again ! » scolded Chizuru as Souji let her pull him away with a genuine smile « clean your mouth, you still have rouge on it. »
« Haaaai Chizuru-chan. » he said, wiping his mouth and controlling in the mirror if it was all gone « We're going ? Tama-chan, you're sure you're not coming ? »
« I'll stay here and greet the guests. » she bowed.
Chizuru put a white Tsunokakushi hat on Haruhi's head for the shintô ceremony, showing her resolve to become an obedient wife and reject ill emotions like jealousy, ego or selfishness. After the ceremony, she'd belong to Souji and not to her father anymore. Well, in the eyes of the law, at least. She never considered she belonged to anyone and she wasn't planning on starting today.
« Lovely. » commented Souji with a nod of approval « come on, let's not make Hajime-kun wait too long.
He slid the shoji and they all headed out, reuniting with Hajime and the children. The latter scrutinized Haruhi from head to toe and nodded, visibly pleased.
« You look good. » he praised « Are you ready ? »
« Yes... » she replied shyly.
« Why wouldn't she be ready ? » grinned Souji « Apparently, she waited all her life for this. »
« Let's go. » said her father, ignoring his friend's comment.
Chizuru, Ayame and Kaede took the food and sake offerings for the gods. Hajime took the bottle he filled with water from the well and Souji also took his, filled with Hino's water, and the four of them headed to the temple with the children. Only Haruhi had her hands free and as she was walking next to her father, she couldn't help but start to feel apprehension and anxiety, and play nervously with her fingers.
« It's alright. » said Hajime as if he was deciphering her inner turmoil « It's normal. »
« Thank you, Otousan... » she replied « for, you know, everything. »
« I promised you'd make your own path. » he nodded « It wasn't the one I expected but I do respect it. You lived with honor. I would lie if I were to say that I enjoy handing you over to Souji. Yet, he is a good man and he will treat you right. Considering your rebellious personality, you could have chosen worst. »
« Not sure if these words are supposed to be used to praise me or scold me... » she muttered and her father escaped a small bark of laughter.
« I'm proud of you. » he stated « of the child you were, the woman you became and the choices you made. »
« Thank you, Otousan. » she smiled, reassured, and her heart a little lighter.
« We may have your mother visiting. » he added, looking at the winter sky « that would be a good omen. »
Haruhi didn't answer but she lifted her gaze. She knew that her father was often silently talking to her mother, Yuki, when snowflakes were falling. The day he got her out of the whorehouse, snow was falling and it really had been a good omen for her. She hoped they could dance in the wind all the same on her wedding day. That would add to her bliss.
At the temple, they were purified and presented all their offerings before listening to the norito litany declaimed by the shintô priest and the miko. The priest blessed a bamboo vessel and Souji and Haruhi both poured their water in it, mixing the two liquids to symbolize the home they would build together. While doing so, they smiled at each other, the union of the waters a reflexion of their lives joined together. Souji brought it to his lips first and drank in it before handing it to his wife. She did the same and they continued with different cups and the miki, the ritual sake, for the sake ceremony. Souji drank the smallest cup in three sips, Haruhi the second one and Souji did it again with the biggest. The sake exchange was a bit different than the one he did with Tama and the one at Hajime's wedding which was quite similar, but every family and temple seemed to have a different way to do it. It didn't matter, the important part was that the kami were witnessing their union and their vows.
« I accept Fujita Haruhi as my wife. I promise to protect her » said Souji « and provide for her and our children. »
« I accept Okita Souji as my husband. I promise to obey him » continued Haruhi as suitable even if she couldn't help but frown at Souji's mocking smirk. No doubt she would not hear the end if it anytime soon « be faithful, take care of his house and his children and educate them in the way of the warrior and the respect of their parents. »
« I accept Okita Souji as husband for my daughter. » continued Hajime « I leave her in his care and renounce to my rights on her. May she live in devotion for her new home, bless him with healthy children and raise them with honor in the way of the warrior. »
They sealed these words with another sake cup shared between the three of them and deposited the offerings to the gods. The priest saluted them, ending the ceremony and they stood up, exiting the temple.
« So that's it » said Haruhi « I'm your wife. »
« In the eyes of the gods. » nodded Souji with a smile « which is the most important part. Tomorrow, we'll register it for the government. I'll have to do it as Tsunashi though. It's the name I use to work. »
« I don't care if we're Tsunashi. » she smiled « I'm happy you married me as Okita in the eyes of the gods. »
« Ne, Haru-neesan » asked Ayame, pulling on her kimono « you will marry me too when I'm older ? »
Souji laughed and ruffled the kid's hair.
« Hey, why not ? » he answered « I might be dead when you get in age to marry. She'll be available. »
« Souji ! » scolded Haruhi « plus, you won't be that old in ten years ! There's no reason for you to be dead ! »
« Anyway, you can't marry your sister, Aya-chan. » chuckled Chizuru, Kaede suckling on his thumb in her arms.
« Why ? »
« Because she's your sister. » she stated « you can't marry family. »
« That's not fair. » shrugged the kid.
« Ayame » said Hajime « walk with me. »
The boy ran to his parents, leaving the newlyweds together.
« I can't believe we're married... » muttered Haruhi.
« Yeah, you're fucked. » he chuckled « You owe me obedience over your own father. I'm gonna over abuse of that right. »
« Don't expect me to be a docile doll. » she frowned.
« I don't. » he smirked « I expect a challenge. I'm gonna break you. »
« You can try. » she smiled in return, knowing it was Souji's peculiar humour.
Walking towards the inn for the party, Haruhi couldn't detach her eyes from Souji's face. He was hers at last.