XVI: No Need for Matrimony!
The sound of beautiful wedding music being played outside did little to sooth poor Tenchi's nerves. He had been on a high speed roller-coaster ride for the past month, and although deep down he was really and truly looking forward to this event, every other nerve in his body told him that it was not all going to be wine and roses.
Holtz and Emperor Asuza had conspired to arrange a marriage between Tenchi and Ayeka in order to strengthen the Jurai royal power (since the young man was Yosho's grandson), and they had also used one of the rare Jurai statutes to arrange a marriage between Tenchi and Ryoko. Asuza initially hated the idea of any Juraian marrying an infamous space pirate, but after hearing Holtz and his daughter out, and after spending a little time with the wild woman, he eventually came to the conclusion that having Ryoko in the "family" would be an honor.
And so, for the strength of Jurai and Tg, and for a solid alliance that would most definitely yield good fruit in the future, Asuza arranged the marriage of Tenchi to both Ayeka and Ryoko--a practice rare but not unheard of in Jurai (he himself had went through something similar for his own nuptials). Most everybody liked the union, but poor Tenchi was dragged along without ever having the right to express his feelings.
Holtz, however, was not so unkind as to not set aside a brief heart-to-heart with the young man. The warm old servant paid Tenchi audience as the young man vented out everything on his mind, from uncertainty to his doubts as a husband-to-be, plus the fact that he had always had monogamy in mind for his own marriage. It was obviously true that he loved both Ayeka and Ryoko very much, and in fact would have been happy wedding either one of them. However, this new arrangement……
Well, Tenchi was given a few days to really let things sink in, and when he finally made his decision, it was one that neither woman protested against. They both eagerly accepted his proposal (not that they really had a choice), and in the end, everybody was happy with the way things were turning out, which was rare in arranged marriages.
But now, with his horde of attendants and buddies crowding around him, Tenchi couldn't help but sigh. His father, who would act as best man, tried his best to give his son some last-second advice, but most of it just went right through Tenchi's mind. Diamond "Ace" Spadehart, who was engaged to a nice young woman himself, gave considerably better pointers.
"You may find yourself in more trouble than necessary," he remarked. "I realize that both Princess Ayeka and Lady Christina are madly in love with you, and that they both love each other as well, but sooner or later, they may regress back into the stage where they vie for your attention. Tenchi, I don't know you that well, so I'm only guessing when I say that you may end up loving one of them more than the other."
"I hope that doesn't happen," answered the young man. Ace nodded his head and made sure his tux was straight for the ninth time.
"Nor do I, friend," he said. "But the fact remains that they will see you as loving one of them more. A man cannot have two masters, you know."
"I can't help but wonder how his highness managed," muttered Katsuhito. "Misaki and Funaho were about as close to each other as Ayeka and Ryoko are now, and even they had hard times in their marriage."
"Who doesn't?!" stated Joshua as he straightened his collar. "Lord Katsuhito, if you can show me a perfect marriage, then I'll renounce my faith! That's just not a possible thing!"
"Yes, I know," replied the elderly Shinto priest. He gazed at his young grandson, the poor guy, and cleared his throat to divulge his own grandfatherly advice. "Tenchi," he began, "as a man who is older and more experienced than you, perhaps you should listen to my advice more. I was married to your grandmother for quite some time before she passed on, so what I say will definitely help…"
If Tenchi was on his last nerve, then Ayeka and Christina had already exhausted them all. It was true that they had glowed with love when he proposed suddenly, and blushed profusely when they heard that Holtz and Emperor Asuza had set the whole thing up, and it was true that they had been looking forward to this day for quite some time, but now that the hour was closing in on them, even their giddiness was fading.
Sasami and Nanette busied over their individual sisters, one of them taking a little more care of her sibling due to the fact that she was maid of honor. Nanette continued to whisper her pride and joy to her sister and future sister-in-law, and dressed them and styled them as best she possibly could. The remaining army of girls (which consisted of Kiyone, Washu, Mihoshi, Mabel, and Delilah--whew!) were either busying themselves with their own gowns, or else already outside chatting up a storm.
"You gonna be okay?" asked Nanette to her sister. Christina let out a weary sigh.
"Jeez, I dunno. My stomach feels like it's tumbling in circles. I feel like I'm gonna throw up any second now."
"That's perfectly normal," smiled the former bounty hunter. "Wedding anxieties happen to the best of us. I guess that just gives Josh and I something to look forward to."
"When did the two of you decide to set a date?" asked Ayeka. Nanette shrugged.
"We really didn't, but we were thinking of aiming for three months down the road. I at least want all this to calm down first." Ayeka nodded her head, but not so much that it would disturb Sasami's art. It was indeed a hectic and confusing time for them all, and while nobody could say who was going through the most turmoil, it was going to be one strange trip for quite awhile.
And yet, nobody would have had it any other way.
Wedding arrangements were just slightly confusing. Almost all of the upper crust of Jurai were in attendance, including Asuza (who would give Ayeka away) and his two wives, and several other people of high importance as well. Important heads of state from across the galaxies were also there, such as the Prima Chief of the Twelve Prima Worlds, the President of Megalopolis, the Directors and Barons of Olto, etc. etc. Nearly every citizen of Tg was there too (since the wedding would be taking place in one of the few unadulterated pieces of property), with Holtz as the man who had the honor of giving Lady Christina away (since her original father had long since been dead). Azaka and Kamidake were among the royal guards, as well as Kiyone and Mihoshi, and a horde of other miscellaneous friends were there as well.
It took the worst part of an hour for the whole gang to assemble in that large outdoor courtyard, but the scenery was so breathtaking that none of it mattered. This outdoor courtyard was but one of the few places that had been completely spared the wrath of Pandemonium: the air was lush and delicious, with a sky more bright and innocent than a smile. Rows upon rows of flower beds were in the background, reeking of a thousand beautiful odors, and from above, cherry blossom leaves were falling like pink flakes of snow. A hundred doves cooed and chirped in the trees above, and the gorgeous dresses and gowns worn by participants and attendants made the fantastic scene seem more of a dream than reality.
A dozen orchestra members played tunes so beautiful and melodic that even the toughest people out there grew misty. Old friends and long-lost comrades reunited, and the promise of a wedding feast like none other loomed in the future as every guest made their way outside. Every sort of person, from the highest members of nobility to the poorest street beggar assembled in the courtyard, and there were even those kinds of people who were twice as questionable as Ryoko had once been, such as rogues and bounty hunters and thieves and swindlers and gamblers and Oh, it was chaos!
"Holy moley!" muttered Nobuyuki as he caught sight of the number of guests who had made it there. "That's a lot of people!!! Boy, Tenchi, I'm starting to understand why you're feeling a bit nervous!"
"I don't think all the participants out there are even human," muttered Ace. "I'm almost certain that I saw some species foreign to homo sapiens. Sir Tenchi, I wish you luck!"
"Oh," muttered the young boy nervously, "thanks…"
"No time for that now, Tench," said Joshua. "You and I both have to go out there and face them. At least you won't have to do all that talking, but think how I feel, as a priest!" Tenchi gave the one-eyed man a weak smile, and tried not to put himself in his shoes. He was jittery enough as it was.
Just when Tenchi and his brides-to-be found themselves growing comfortable, the band struck up a delicate tune that signified the beginning of the ceremony. A nervous wad the size of his house was swallowed down Tenchi's throat, and every bodily organ he owned throbbed with anticipation. Of course, he could not back out of this now, and with a single bold foot, he stepped forward, with Washu's elbow linked up with his own. A procession of distinguished gentlemen followed him, his father and grandfather first, then followed by Ace, Azaka, Kamidake, Ken-ohki as ring bearer, and Joshua last, who would playact as priest.
The ladies in the audience smiled warmly at how lovely some of the gentlemen looked, though most of them knew that half their number were already taken. Joshua took his position behind the glass podium and smiled plainly at the huge crowd before him. The only other people up there with him were Tenchi and Nobuyuki, and they both seemed reasonably amicable for such an occasion.
A different tune was struck for the brides' entrance, and as per custom, everyone turned and stood to greet the two ladies. On one side was Asuza guiding his eldest daughter down the aisle, with her maids, Sasami, and Kiyone and Mihoshi following, with Ryo-ohki as flower girl. Tenchi's worries instantly faded as he saw his bride-to-be smiling back at him, walking gracefully down the velvet aisle with a gorgeous pale-violet dress on. In her hands were a bouquet of flowers that looked to be similar to lilies. On the other side was old Holtz, beaming proudly as he guided Christina Ryoko Stohk and her sister/bridesmaid down the aisle. The former space pirate was smiling warmly in her pale-turquoise dress, a bouquet of locus flowers clasped firmly in her hands.
Well, too late to turn back now, thought Tenchi to himself, though the looks on his brides' faces told him that he would never reconsider his decision, nor would he regret doing such an act. The two ladies made their way to the dais where their love awaited them, and though there was a bit of uncertainty still brewing in their bodies, the love and warmth of the wedding day overshadowed these nasty feelings.
From this point on, most of the troubles of the wedding would have to fall on Joshua Fionn's capable shoulders. With only a few years of priesthood under his belt, he took a deep breath and dug deep for the words to say. Starting out with a greeting seemed the best way to get things rolling.
"Ladies, gentlemen, distinguished colleagues, heads of state, nobles, allies, Your Highness, Your Eminence, revere and dear, friends, loved ones, and well-wishers…… welcome. Welcome, all of you, to what will possibly be one of the greatest and most wonderful celebrations of matrimonial union that you may ever experience. I don't doubt that this will be a day long remembered, so welcome one and all, welcome, and may prosperity find its way to your door for your gracious attendance.
"…We are all gathered here today to witness the joyful union of these three people you see before you: Tenchi Masaki, and his two wives-to-be, Princess Ayeka Jurai and Lady Christina Ryoko Stohk. I realize that some of you may disprove of this marriage simply because of its polygamy, but I assure you one and all that, if you knew the true history behind these three, and the love they shared, you would support it as much as I do. But for those of you who do not know, let me divulge you so that you will believe as I have.
"This young woman, Princess Ayeka of Jurai, was once a selfish princess who thought only of herself and little of anything else. She had a heart of cold steel and a tongue of sharpest razor, yet time and love have dulled these characteristics down to something more pure, more passionate, and more genuine. Ayeka is now a true woman, with a heart of purest gold and an unshakable bond of love and devotion--not only to this young man you see here, but to Lady Christina, who was once her greatest enemy, yet now is her closest friend. Personally, I don't think a better woman could be found anywhere else in the universe.
"…Unless, of course, you look to Lady Christina here. Once, this woman was a scourge and a pirate, spreading terror and viciousness across the galaxy. Yet her love of this young man has calmed these barbaric urges, and through patience and love and dedication, she has not only made a lifelong friend of Ayeka, but has also discovered the bond she shares with her sister, a one-time enemy of hers. Truly, there are great powers at work here, for who else but the loving Creator of all worlds could bring former enemies together and bond them together so closely?" Joshua paused to catch his breath and swallowed some water, and winked at Nanette when nobody was looking. She smiled back at him and returned the small flirt.
"…Now that you know their background," continued the former monk, "you may believe what I have, and that these three should be together forever. Indeed, the very scriptures themselves applaud marriage, for it is said that '"This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman', for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.' These verses are old, yet they ring true even now, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years later.
"Indeed, one of the most incredible passages of scripture deals with love, so much so that this entire ceremony is focused on that very passage. Allow me to elaborate with one of my favorite passages.
"'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but I have not love, then I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.'" Joshua paused briefly, a lump forming in his throat and a tear coming to his good eye, and he swallowed them both down before continuing. Obviously, this next passage was extremely touching to him.
"…'Love is patient, love is kind'," he began. "'It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.'" He smiled warmly, obviously touched by his words, and not even Asuza could claim stoicism from the short speech. Ayeka and Christina were so happy and moved that they actually shed tears in wake of the passage, and Tenchi almost did the same.
"Well," croaked Joshua weakly, "enough out of me. I say that we don't keep these lovers waiting anymore. Tenchi, ladies, I believe you have wedding vows to exchange." Joshua smiled down at the young man and the ladies, and they all nodded their heads. Small notes were taken out of Tenchi's pockets and handed to the girls, and the three exchanged what they had written and promised to each other.
I, Tenchi Masaki, promise to love you, Ayeka, and you, Christina, with equal respect and passion until my dying day.
I will be patient, I will be kind. I will not envy, I will not boast, I will not be proud. I will not be rude, I will not be self-seeking, I will not be easily angered, I will keep no record of wrongs. I will not delight in evil but will rejoice in the truth. I will always protect you, always trust you, always hope for you, and will always persevere.
In this, I do forever pledge, upon pain of death.
I, Princess Ayeka, heir of Jurai and its royal family,
And I, Ryoko, devoted friend and trusted companion,
Do solemnly swear an oath of never-ending love, loyalty, and honor
To you, Lord Tenchi Masaki, grandson of Admiral Yosho.
In times bleak and joyful, cold and warm, strict and free, prosperous and poor,
We hereby give our hearts, souls, and minds to this holy pact of matrimony.
You have this, the blood from our own hands, as permanent proof of
Our everlasting oath, and with it, our blood is added to yours as
Rightful rulers to stand alongside you in love and monarchy.
We shall always love you forever more, as we have always loved you in the past.
"(You rock, sis!)" hissed Nanette. Christina grinned and blushed. This was definitely the happiest day of her life, and as Tenchi gently slipped wedding rings over both their fingers, things could definitely not get any better.
"Well, everything seems official so far," remarked Joshua. "But is there anybody present who does not wish to see this couple joined together as one? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
"Everybody'd better be quiet!!" shouted Nanette suddenly. Her outburst was slightly embarrassing at first, but was quickly received with scattered laughter. Suddenly, Emperor Asuza stood up, earning a roll of the eye from Ayeka.
"Yes, I have something to say," he spoke.
"Oh, father, not now!" moaned Ayeka. Asuza quietly hushed her and stepped forward, making his presence known. A cough cleared his throat, and a pause made sure that all eyes were focused on the Emperor of Jurai. He had the scene all to himself.
"You all know me," he began slowly. "You all know who I am, and what my creed is. You know what my feelings are concerning the alliance of Jurai, and you know how close my heart is to Tg. At first, when I heard that the space pirate Ryoko was also one of the long-lost daughters of my friend Armand Stohk, I could scarcely believe it--yet, over the days that passed, I got to know her from listening to Ayeka and other people who were close to her. Let me just say that my impression of her has… changed, for the better." With that, he turned and smiled at Christina, and bowed his head just a little.
"I would be honored to have you in the family," he said--and to everyone's surprise, Asuza stepped forth and actually hugged the one-time space pirate. Christina, having never embraced an Emperor before, was obviously at a lack for words, so she tried her best to return the unexpected gesture. When Asuza released his soon-to-be co-daughter-in-law, he was smiling proudly, another trait he rarely expressed.
"Young man," he said to Joshua, "you had better continue this wedding or else!"
"…Yes, sire," replied Joshua happily. Smiling brightly, the young man spread his arms out and declared them husband and wife… and wife. "And now, to seal the pact… Tenchi, you may now kiss the brides!" Young Tenchi smiled briefly, but the happiness faded as soon as he realized what Joshua had said. Kissing one bride would be no problem, but… there were two of them there… and he… well… didn't know which one to… kiss first.
"……Uhhh…" he comically darted his head from Ayeka to Christina and back to the princess again, and scattered laughter came out of the audience as the poor man became more and more confused. Asuza groaned and covered his face in shame before shouting out to his future son-in-law.
"Excuse me, young man, but Juraian etiquette clearly states that in situations such as this, royalty should be addressed first, or if not, the highest-ranking one." He nodded at Tenchi, whose eyes had slowly shifted to an expectant Ayeka. A nude from behind told him that it was okay to go for the Princess first.
"Go ahead, babe," whispered Christina playfully. "Ayeka needs to be first anyway. I can wait a little while." She grinned and winked at the two closest to her. Tenchi smiled that same loveable weak smile of his, shrugged, and leaned forward to lock lips with Ayeka.
"I love you," they said simultaneously, and Christina couldn't help but squeal as the marriage between them was complete. When the kiss broke, both their faces were flushed and beaming and very much enraptured.
"Hey, what about me?" she pouted. Tenchi laughed out loud and turned towards the other woman that had stolen his heart.
"How could I ever forget about you, Ryoko?" he asked. Christina actually blushed when he used her old name, but her face turned redder still as his mouth met hers.
"I will always love you," he whispered faintly, and drew back to stare into her golden eyes. "…Always."
"…Yeah… I know…" Both girls smiled and gave him a kiss on both his cheeks, then stared at each other mysteriously, almost as if there was one last thing they should be doing. With a careless shrug, Christina laughed out a "Eh, why not?", and leaned forward to give Ayeka a brief but strong peck on the lips. She grinned and cackled out loud once the little kiss ended (thus causing quite a minor stir amongst the crowd), and put her arms around both Tenchi's and Ayeka's shoulders.
"You are one screwy woman, sis!" chuckled Nanette. Christina winked at her beloved sibling, and leaped up on Tenchi to ride piggyback style. Ever the romantic, the young groom carried Ayeka in his arms with Christina riding on him, and together the three of them made their way past a tumultuously roaring crowd.
Beholding a cake as tall as he was, Tenchi grasped the knife firmly and plunged the cutter deep into the pastry. The thing looked delicious, and would probably lead to many sweet stomach aches in the near future. However, as the delicious wedding cake was sliced, the whole thing suddenly blew up in a sugary explosion, spewing pastry and frosting everywhere. The explosion came so suddenly that poor Tenchi (who had received the brunt of the cake's wrath) was still frozen in that same position, comically holding a knife with crumbs dripping off of it. Inevitably, all eyes turned towards Washu and glared at the mad genius, who was suspiciously free of dessert.
"Washu…!" The loveable genius chuckled weakly, scratching her neck in a useless effort to look innocent. The act failed completely, and soon, dozens of cake-drenched wedding guests were approaching her, a vile intent in their wicked eyes.
"W-wait a second!" she sputtered. "Guys? W-what are you gonna do with all that food??" Ayeka grinned maliciously, and nodded at her co-wife, signaling their desired plan of retribution. Only two words needed to be said from her for the chaos to begin.
"FOOD FIGHT!!!!!!!"
Next chapter: Am I really so ambitious as to continue after that? What sort of things could I possibly have in store for our protagonists? ……And would still constitute as G-rated material? Well, I'll admit that it's not much, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve! The story keeps on going, next chapter: "No Need for a Family!" It's unquestionably more than I should have written!