Thank you to the amazing blueeyedevil06, you are not only my beta, but you are also a huge support.

I apologize now if you are a purest on wedding traditions. I have read up on the Shinto traditions and will use that for their wedding. I am going to be honest. I googled it and I have no idea regarding the quality of my research. That, and I have little to absolutely no background knowledge of the tradition. I am hoping that they can be different like the weddings in Western culture. If not, let's pretend they are. I won't be going through the wedding in fine detail. I will be bending what I do know to serve my story.


Chapter 43 - Wedding

Shortly before the wedding, Serena walked out wearing a beautiful white kimono. On Wednesday, Darien had surprised her by setting up an appointment with a specialty shop that promised she would be able to have it in time.

She smiled at all of her friends and then scolded them, "Don't you start to cry! If you do I will too, and then I will mess up my makeup."

Mina flashed the Sailor V sign and smiled at Serena, "Yea, and I spent a lot of time working on it. Not that you aren't already beautiful."

Serena blushed, "Thank you. You really did a wonderful job." She straightened her spine, "So, what do you think?"

"I think Darien is going to think you are the most beautiful bride, ever." Rui stated. The rest of the girls all agreed.

Darien dressed for the ceremony and then met his men in the room set aside for them at the temple. "I have to thank you all for being here. I also have to say this now, and then I will drop it. I know you are all hiding something. Thank you. Just promise me that you can handle it until tomorrow when you will tell me."

Kunzite bowed, "I promise you that we can handle it until we update you and Serena both. We would all like to request meeting you at your penthouse tomorrow at two."

Darien nodded, "Granted. Well done, Kunzite."

Kunzite nodded at the others, "It is a combined effort, but thank you."

Darien huffed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "It's going to be a pain, isn't it?"

"Nothing that we can't all handle together when the time is right," Zoisite said.

"Very well. I am going to put this conversation out of my mind today and let you all handle it for the time being." Darien stated.

Raye's grandfather was to perform the ceremony. He was a little startled about the changes, including the fact that Serena's parents weren't invited. Apparently. they had made themselves obnoxious when they had come to sign the marriage papers the day before. He had always liked Serena, and she had her parents' permission, so he didn't ask any questions about it.

The moment that Darien saw Serena in her white kimono, he shocked himself. He teared up and had to wipe a few of them away as they threatened to spill. Other than noticing the tears, Darien registered nothing else around him except Serena. She was breathtaking, and she was his. He was about to seal their marriage that they waited thousands of years for.

He took her hand, and they walked through the wedding ceremony. They each sipped from the sake cup three times. Then, in a break from tradition, Mina and Kunzite sipped from the sake cup. They stood in place of their respective parents, and for them, it symbolized the coming together of their kingdoms and guards.

When the ceremony was over, they both changed together. Darien removed her kimono and pulled her close. He said, "Buns, I am so happy right now."

She smiled up at him and replied, "You have made me the happiest woman in the solar system. When you teared up the moment you saw me, I almost wept. It was incredible to see you overwhelmed."

"I am overwhelmed by you every day, Buns. Now, we better finish getting changed or we will be late for the dinner they are holding for us."

"I thought we could have sex first."

"No, not in the temple." he sighed in mock exasperation. Deep down he liked how much she made him feel wanted. A fact that she, of course, knew.

They changed, met their friends and Sammy outside the temple and made their way down the stairs. They all laughed and chatted. As they descended, Serena slipped on the step and began to fall. Darien reached out and grabbed her, pulling her to him and stopping her fall.

She looked up into his face and said, "Thank you."

"I will be there to catch you for the rest of our lives. Remember that, Buns." He leaned down and gave her a kiss.

Dinner was delicious and Serena enjoyed feeding bits of food to Darien. He huffed and rolled his eyes every time. At one point, he told her that he wasn't a child. She just continued to insist, and he gave in. She didn't know how, at the time, to express that she wanted to do something for him. Even if it was incredibly small. He had done so much to secure her happiness. She wanted to do even the smallest thing for him.

Part way through the evening, Jadeite stood and said, "And, now is the time for speeches. And, since I put myself in charge of announcing them, I will let myself go first."

Kunzite shouted out, "That isn't how this works!"

Jadeite laughed and said, "I am in charge now. You don't get to reference silly things like 'rules.' Darien, you have been my friend for a long time. And, that is all I have to say about you." There were chuckles. "Serena, we knew Darien was crazy about you for a while. We also knew that he didn't have a sense of humor, so we couldn't joke with him about his feelings. Stick in the mud. What we didn't know was that he would be lucky enough to actually get you. Darien, you really are a lucky SOB. When you both started dating, I watched the weirdest thing happen. I watched two people who were perfect for each other come together and make each other even better. Darien can take a joke now. And Serena, well, you seem more self assured. It is amazing to watch a strong woman be encouraged in her strength by a man that adores her. You both epitomize love and what you can achieve when you find the person who loves you and makes you stronger. Darien, good job on getting Serena to marry you. Of all of the goals and career plans you have, marrying her is the smartest."

Serena was crying and hugged Jadeite. "Thank you." she whispered.

Mina stood next, "It's my turn. I don't remember fighting for you both all of those thousands of years before. Yet, when I look at you together, it doesn't surprise me in the least bit that I would fight to the death to ensure that you two were together. Serena, I will follow you though life and death. Darien, I will protect you as my friend and as the soulmate of the one I would give everything for."

"Oh, Mina. Thank you!" Serena continued to cry.

Andrew next said, "I will make this really short. I am so happy that two such wonderful people found each other. I am excited to see what you do in this life together."

Lita said, "Just know if you need me to, at any point, I can go straight to Plan B, for either of you. Darien, I will protect you. It is part of my duty as her Senshi. If something happens to you, something happens to her heart. It is obvious that, without you, she would not be whole."

Amy nodded, "I completely agree. You are under my protection too."

Raye laughed, "I will kick anyone's ass that threatens either of you. Serena, you were my friend when everyone else thought I was weird. You accepted what was weird about me and told me you admired me for those very qualities. Now, as Sailor Moon, you took those weird qualities and now I use them to protect. The very things that were mocked about me are now my strength. Thank you for making me believe that before I even knew that."

Zoisite said, "Darien, we all knew you were going somewhere. You are brilliant, but I worried about you being lonely. You always acted like you didn't really need people, but that couldn't be true. You rejected every girl that had interest in you, and I thought you were determined to stay single. Then, when I noticed your feelings for Serena, everything began to make sense. You weren't determined to remain single at all. You were just determined to find the perfect woman and not waste your time on dating anyone else. Serena, you really are perfect for him."

Nephrite then nodded and said, "That you are, Serena. It figures that Darien, of all people, would never settle. It is a lot of fun to watch you both find forever together. Darien, I will protect you and all that you hold dear."

Molly smiled at Serena, "I have been friends with you since kindergarten. Who knew our lives would end up like this? I was sure of two things though. One, we would still be friends. Two, you were meant for great things. Someone so kind and wonderful should only have the best in this world. I love you. Darien, I didn't think Serena would ever find someone worthy of her. Thank you for proving me wrong."

"I am so glad to have a brother," Sammy said. "Darien, you have already begun protecting me. Serena, that had been just your job for so long. I am thrilled that my sister has someone beside her that helps with her burdens. Darien, you continue to protect her and watch out for her. She is strong, and she won't tell you when she needs help. Not really. She has shown she is capable of suffering in quiet. I am glad you have begun to help her lift that burden. Sis, you have been there for me my whole life. I am so grateful, and I am excited for Darien since you have a way of being there for people in ways they don't even know they need. Be good to each other. Oh, and let me keep that awesome room in the penthouse!"

"My turn!" Rui said, "I have known you the shortest, Serena, but you have already saved my life. I will do anything I can to protect you. That, I promise. Not only will I keep your secret, but I will actively help you maintain it. Darien, I am so glad she has such a wonderful husband. You two are perfect for each other."

Kunzite raised his glass and everyone followed suit, "Darien, I pledge to always watch out for you. I pledge to protect Serena above myself. She is your wife and under all of our protection. That is not a burden you carry alone. There are those that will go after her, but they will never succeed. I will be there in support of your marriage at all times. I will not fail you." He looked Darien in the eyes, "She will be safe, and she will grow old along with you. I will always be her shield."

"Here, here." They all said and drank a toast to the newly married couple.