Chapter 18
The most important event of China and Japan was about to happen—now! Well known scholars were chosen the pick the date of the wedding. Silk and cloth were only brought from the best weavers. Only the cooks that could cook the best plates were chosen. Only trusted servants were picked to decorate. Only the genuine family and friends were invited. It was going to be a event worth writing about!
~*~
Sakura was pulled out her room weeks before the wedding to be measured and dressed up. Special dressmakers were requested to come. The most famous one was Lueng Chang. Kings and Queens all over were beating the guts out of each other to have her design an outfit for their dear daughter or son. Only the Li family was nice enough to send a mannerly messenger and ask quite nicely. So, the Lady Chang agreed to come.
Sakura, however was very uncomfortable to have a stranger, no matter how nice, measure her.
Fortunately, Tomoyo marched in and demanded that she design a dress for her best friend. Yelan Li was quite shocked and agreed hesitantly.
"However, I ask that you do this with Lady Chang," Tomoyo agreed as long as she was able to take part in her best friend's wedding preparation. Sakura was completely relieved.
~*~
Syaoran also had Lady Chang design his outfit. He was ok with someone measuring his body, as long as he wasn't naked. Eriol would sit and drink tea while Syaoran stood on a stool and let Lady Chang measure him. Lady Chang having done this so many times just zoomed around wrapping and unwrapping him in cloth.
To Syoaran he was wrapped in a thin cloth for one second and it was off then she quickly wrote something down and then did the same thing about two more times.
"Wow Lady Chang, incredible how fast you can do it," Eriol said in awe.
"Practice, Young Master, makes perfection. Of course no one in this earthly world is perfect," Lady Chang said.
"Yes that is all too true and I know," Eriol said with a mysterious smile. Having finished, Lady Chang bowed and left after the two masters bowed back.
"When is this wedding?" Eriol asked, looking at his cousin.
"Next moon, which is in 42 days, Eriol," Syaoran answered as he sat down. A servant who was standing by came in an instant and poured tea for the Prince.
"All is well."
~*~
Nadeshiko and Yelan were sitting in the library with their heads together.
"We should invite my good cousin!" Nadeshiko said.
"If you wish," Yelan answered then wrote down another name to the list of guests. A rustling came from somewhere in the room.
"Kero! Come out!" Yelan said loudly. Kero slowly flew from behind a painting.
"Hehe…Yelan I haven't seen you for awhile. How are the elders?" Kero asked nervously.
"They are fine," she said, "Now what are you doing?"
"Well, I was going to ask you where Sakura was," Kero said, "Where is she?"
"Most likely in her room preparing for the wedding," Nadeshiko chirped. She had been especially happy and excited this week. In 41 days the wedding would take part. Yelan was also looking towards to what would happen with their powers when they unite.
"Hehe…I guess I should leave now," Kero said and flew out in a blink of an eye.
"Funny he seems so weak for a guardian." Nadeshiko said.
"He hides his power along with his true form," Yelan answered good-naturedly.
~*~
41 days passed. Each and every person in the Li and Kinomoto household had barely a second to sit and rest. For the wedding had to be perfect, after all it was for the greatest union in politics, magic, and love. Today would be the day the marriage would officially happen.
Nadeshiko, Yelan, Sonomi, Tomoyo, and Kero crowded around Sakura. Tomoyo helped her with her make up and clothes. Yelan and Nadeshiko giving her comment and prayed for luck for Sakura and Syaoran.
"Tomoyo! My lips look too red!" Sakura cried. She grabbed a napkin and put it between her lips to get some of the color out. She looked at the mirror and smiled, satisfied.
"There I'm done! Let's see if we need to do anything with your gown. Lady Chang!" Tomoyo yelled. Lady Chang came into the room and walked up to the young ladies.
"Yes?"
"Is there anything wrong with her gown?" Tomoyo asked.
"No, I believe not. Now, I have to check how Prince Syaoran is doing. Excuse me Majesties. Also Tomoyo please check your own gown too." Lady Chang said and took her leave. Sakura was wearing all red; she had a flowing red skirt and a red top. It was also embroidered with yellow at the edges. Tomoyo had on traditional red too. Her gown was exactly like Sakura's
"You mustn't forget your headdress, it is very important. It is part of tradition," Yelan said, pointing to the red headdress placed on the dresser.
"Yes mother," Sakura replied respectively. Yelan smiled and pulled Sakura into a hug.
"I am grateful to the Gods to have let Syaoran choose you as a bride and to have such a dear girl for a daughter-in-law," Yelan whispered to her. Sakura smile and threw her arms around her mother-in-law. Sakura let go and turned to her own mother. She also hugged Nadeshiko.
"Don't worry you're my mother too!" Sakura whispered softly.
"And you're my daughter, too!" Nadeshiko answered and hugged her tightly. Sakura let go and turned to Tomoyo who was dressed as well.
"Tomoyo I can't believe we're getting married!" Sakura cried and ran to her cousin and best friend.
"Either can I!" Tomoyo bawled.
"Oh Tomoyo I'm so happy," Sakura said.
"Now ladies, you must put you headdress on and let us lead you out," Yelan said. Tomoyo and Sakura scrambled to get their headdresses. They put it on and put the veil over their faces. Their husbands can't see their faces yet!
Nadeshiko, Yelan, and Sonomi led the two brides to the temple where they would wed. Stepping in, they could see Fujitaka stand beside Syaoran and Eriol. Yelan, Sonomi, and Nadeshiko led the girls to their husbands and went to stand at the side. One of the elders stood in the middle and ordered them to kneel on the cushions on the floor.
They bowed their heads multiple times in respect to their Gods, parents, and to each other. That main part of the ceremony was over. Now the two young men could see the faces of their wives.
Syaoran stood there in his dress-like outfit of red, in front of Sakura. Eriol was dressed the same and stood in front of Tomoyo. Sakura was about to burst and just jump on Syaoran with happiness. Tomoyo was fidgeting, the Elders were making her extremely nervous. They were like hawks looking at their every move.
The veils were lifted and a great cry came from the crowd around them. Everyone clapped and yelled appraisals. Sakura glad this part was over, lifted her skirt with one hand, and the other took Syaoran's hand and ran out of the temple with Tomoyo and Eriol following. They ran to the Great Hall where tables were set up for the celebration. The room filled up instantly with guests that were invited. Some sat down, some went straight to the newlyweds to praise them.
Syaoran and Sakura managed to escape and run to the dais.
"Guests and Families!" Syaoran boomed. The hall quieted down and listened to the young leader.
"I thank you for coming. Thank you for blessing us! Please eat all you want! This is the celebration of our marriages! Be merry and be happy!" Syaoran said to the guests. The hall suddenly filled with screams of joy and applause.
"Syaoran!" Sakura whispered softly. Syaoran turned his brown eyes to her's.
"Yes, my love?" He replied.
"I love you so much!" Sakura whispered to him. Syaoran pulled her into a hug as tears fell down Sakura's face. Fujitaka came up and pulled the two into a large hug.
"Well my son! You have succeeded in marrying my daughter! Congratulation!" Fujitaka boomed. Syaoran blushed and thanked him. Yelan and Nadeshiko came too.
"Syaoran, Sakura. We are so happy for you!" They said together.
Kero who was in his true form was sitting by the dais. He turned back to his doll form and jumped up into the air.
"LET'S EAT PEOPLE!!!!!" Kero screamed as he dived for the food that was set on the table.
"Look takoyaki!!! Thank you Sakura!!" Kero shouted. Sakura winced.
"Kero what if others see you!?" Sakura asked.
"Don't worry they'll think their drunk!" Kero said as he sat on the table with a large plate of takoyaki.
"Kero! If you think you can finish all my takoyaki, think again buddy!" A voice said. In front of them, Spinnel was flying towards them.
"Spinnel! Get away from my takoyaki!!" Kero shouted. Syaoran, Sakura, Eriol, and Tomoyo all winced as they watched the two guardians fight.
Suddenly the takoyaki fell down like rain from the sky.
"MY TAKOYAKI!!" Kero and Spinnel shouted. Syaoran growled. Sakura nudged him gently.
"Come on it's our wedding! I'll never forgive you if you groan again!" Sakura warned. Syaoran smiled and kissed her cheek. She giggled.
"Sakura, Syaoran, Eriol, Tomoyo, come!" Yelan called. The four young adults went to stand beside the Li and Kinomoto queens and kings and Sonomi Daidoji was here too. Tomoyo smiled appreciatively at her mother. Sonomi rushed forward to hug her then turned to Eriol.
"Well Eriol... you must take care of my little girl. If you don't, I swear I will do anything I can in my power to make you miserable!" Sonomi warned. Eriol raised an eyebrow at her. Tomoyo blushed and gave her mother a look.
"Of course honored mother-in-law," Eriol said.
Fujitaka cleared his throat. People turned to look at him (well they did if you consider the few people who sat near the dais).
"Guests!" Nadeshiko called out to the guests. Now the entire room turned to look at them.
"Behold the power of women!" Nadeshiko whispered to her husband. Her smiled then faced the crowd.
"Thank you once again for attending this grand wedding. We are blessed to have such a match. I would say, a match made in heaven! Well matches made in heaven!" Fujitaka said referring to the two couples.
"Now let's have a toast to the newlyweds!" Yelan said. Servants in black walked up to the two couples with trays that had two teacups each. Servants also approached Fujitaka, Nadeshiko, Yelan, and Sonomi. They all took a cup and held it up. The guests yelled their approval.
"A drink to our special day!" Eriol shouted and drank the liquid. Everyone screamed and followed suit.
Kero and Spinnel was sitting on one of the tables. They both threw a takoyaki into the air and caught it in their mouths when everyone was drinking to the couples.
"YAH!" The two yelled. Then they picked up the plate and flew around dumping the takoyakis down on the guests.
"Free takoyakis for everyone!" Kero yelled. A few yells of disapproval came from the crowd.
"Kero! Spinnel!" Sakura and Eriol shouted. Syaoran couldn't help but groan as the two continued dumping octopus dumplings on everyone.