Stars in the Sky
Chapter Ten: Wedding Bells are Ringing
By: Ree
Pairing: Kou Seiya/Ten'oh Haruka
Ages: Seiya: 20
Haruka: 19
Setting: Jyuban District, Tokyo, Japan
Rating: R (for future chapters and swearing)
Summary: Seiya is back on Earth, Usagi is married to Mamoru, and what's a love-stricken boy to do? Well, a few run-ins and mishaps with a certain blonde change his entire perspective.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon; I don't want to claim ownership to Takeuchi-sama's noble work. So don't sue me! I don't own anything, I am just a poor student, and you won't get anything!
Author's Note: All right, this chapter has the wedding in it and has skipped ahead in time. Haruka and Seiya may seem a bit OOC to you, but they've changed, people do that. I still try and keep them as IC as I can, even though they're in love. They still have fights, trust me on this one.
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Nine months had passed since Haruka had returned from the hospital. It seemed as though things had gone back to normal. There were no enemies, Michiru had now found comfort in the arms of another man, the rest of the Senshi accepted the relationships between Haruka, Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten, for the first time there was peace and everyone was feeling great. Well, everyone that is, except for Michiru. Because of a car accident she was in, her right hand was mangled so badly she could never use it again. And without her hand, she couldn't play the violin or paint and she fell into the arms of a major art dealer.
Seiya paced back and forth, waiting for Taiki to come back so he could drag him to the nearest jewelry store. Months ago, when he'd first broached the subject of a steady relationship with Haruka; she had laughed at him. But stillover timethey had grown closer and closer, although with biting sarcasm and insulting on both parties. That's just how we are, he thought fondly. We just get on each other's nervesthat's how we show we care. When he finally heard a car pull up into the driveway, he tapped his foot impatiently as Taiki and Yaten came inside.
"It's about time, where the hell have you been?" Seiya demanded. "Taiki, you've got to come with me, I need your help."
"Why can't I come too?" Yaten queried.
"Because in case Haruka comes back, you've got to keep her from leaving the house until we come back," Seiya explained.
"What are you doing now, Seiya?" Taiki asked.
Seiya looked around to make sure they weren't being watched and huddled them up. "I'm going shopping for some jewelry. A certain ring in particularfor a certain woman."
"NANIYO?" Taiki and Yaten screamed in unison as they backed away from Seiya. "You're proposing to Haruka?"
"Hai," he said proudly, looking a bit embarrassed. "But I need your help. Taiki, come with me to get the ring and Yaten, you've got to stay here and make sure Haruka doesn't find out where we are."
"Seiya," Taiki started.
"This really isn't a good idea," Yaten added.
"I want to propose to her and I'm going to with or without your help," he snapped firmly.
The two of them exchanged looks but nodded, with smiles on their faces and exasperation in their expressions. Seiya smiled brightly as he dragged Taiki to the car and climbed into the passenger seat as Taiki sat behind the wheel. Soon, they were out on the road again and Taiki was asking what exactly Seiya wanted in terms of an engagement ring.
"I don't really know what I want" Seiya admitted as he looked out the window, deep in thought.
"Then I suggest that you think about what you want before we get to the store," Taiki advised.
Seiya began to think hard and long about what he wanted to get Haruka in terms of an engagement ring. She really likes goldbut gold rings are so overdone unless I get her a white-gold band. And what about a diamond, how big should I get it? Three carats sounds good, but I don't know what that would cost. He kept going over ideas in his mind as he continued to think about what kind of ring he wanted to get. Finally, Taiki pulled up in front of one of the finest jewelry stores in the Jyuban district and it was then that Seiya snapped out of his thoughts.
"Come on Seiya, let's go get that ring of yours," Taiki joked as the two walked inside.
"I'm nervous Taiki, what if I can't find a ring that fits Haruka just right?" Seiya demanded.
"Daijoubu, you'll be just fine. Now chill out and take a look at the rings," Taiki advised.
Pointing at the different lines of jewelry, Seiya immediately leaned over and began to examine the different rows of jewels. Thinking about which one would be good, a salesclerk came up to them with a broad smile on his face. Taiki inwardly groaned, realizing this wasn't going to be easy or fun. Seiya looked up, and sweat-dropped slightly embarrassed.
"Good afternoon gentlemen, how may I help you today?" he asked in a simpering manner.
"I'm looking for an engagement ring. It can't be any ordinary ring, it's got to be special."
"I understand sir. Tell me a bit about the girl. What is she like?" he asked, rummaging around.
"Ruka isstrong, powerful, beautiful, intelligentnot easily wooed by jewelry," Taiki laughed at Seiya's explanation. "I need something that will show her how much I care."
"Well, perhaps this should tickle your fancy?"
The clerk held up a 14k white-gold ring with a one-karat diamond in the center and two smaller diamonds at its sides. Seiya studied it carefully, weighing it in his mind as he considered what Haruka might like. Finally, he shook his head, handing it back to the clerk.
"It's not enough. It's too simple."
"All right then, sir, perhaps we could try something else," he offered and began to show him other rings.
Taiki and Seiya compared and contrasted every ring the clerk offered until finally Seiya's eyes landed on the perfect one. It was 14k white gold with a large diamond in the center, but the band was what caught Seiya's eye. The band was covered with intricate Renaissance-looking script and it was engraved with different symbols. His eyes widened and he knew he had to have it. He pointed at the ring and Taiki whistled his approval.
"That looks so beautiful, Seiya," he whispered. "I'm sure that Haruka would love it."
"Ah yes, a fine ring sir. It's a 3-karat diamond with Renaissance script around the band. The diamond was hand-chosen by our team of jewelers and I think it would be perfect for your lady."
"I'll take it," he said brightly.
"Well done sir."
However, when the price was announced, Seiya's jaw dropped. Taiki winced, but he knew that they would easily make it up once the band played two or three more times and he also knew it was worth it to Seiya. So, he pitched in for half and Seiya gave him a grateful look. Wrapped in a little black box and tied with a dark gold bow was the ring of all rings, at least to Seiya. The two of them headed back to the house and Yaten came racing out.
"Oi, this isn't good," Seiya muttered and he got out of the car. "What's going on, Yaten?"
"Haruka's back and she's not happyapparently she ran into Michiru or something," he explained, sending a nervous glance back at the house. "So expect the worst."
The two of them exchanged nervous glances as they headed into the house, met by a very irate Ten'oh Haruka. She glowered at them both, giving them an icy look and Seiya gulped.
"So, Yaten just got done telling me that he wasn't allowed to say where you were, Kou Seiya."
"Anoit's really not that bad," Taiki started, looking embarrassed and edgy.
"I want to know and I want to know now! Don't make me force you by making you sleep on the couch!"
"All right, all right!" Seiya replied, smiling slightly. "It wasn't anything bad, trust me."
Seiya took her hand in his and kissed it gently. Looking confused and raising her eyebrow, Haruka began to wonder what he was doing as he knelt down before her. He was also blushing beat red, something she'd never seen him do. She looked around at Taiki and Yaten, wondering if they knew what Seiya was doing with her. He began to stutter until Haruka couldn't make out what he was saying. Taiki and Yaten smiled and the brunette wrapped his arms around the slighter white-haired man as they watched Seiya.
"Harukawe've been together for a whilehaven't we?" he stuttered, blushing.
"Of course we have Seiyaalmost a year. And it's been some of the greatest months of my life. Why do you ask? You're acting really weird," Haruka replied, raising her eyebrow.
"Just let me finishotherwise I may never get to say it. Wellwhat I really want to sayTen'oh HarukaI love you very much. And where I was todaywell, this is why."
He reached into his pocket and removed the small black box. Haruka's eyes bugged out of her eyes as she began to stutter, unsure of what to say, but thought she knew what was going on.
"Seiyais that?" she whispered.
"Hai, Harukait is," Seiya replied and opened the box. "Ten'oh Harukawill you marry me?"
Her eyes bugged out of her head and she nearly fainted. Seiya rose, holding her hand in his as tears formed in her eyes for the first time in a long time. There was a long silence and she nodded.
"YesI will Seiya," she whispered.
"You will?" he gasped.
"I will you bakahow many times do I have to tell you?" she laughed and let him slip the ring on her finger.
"Harukaaithiteru."
And he swept her up in his arms and kissed her deeply, holding her close and nearly crying with joy. Taiki and Yaten gazed at each other with longing expressions on their faces as they kissed each other deeply. Haruka and Seiya laughed as they saw the couple start to make out.
"Aishiteru, koibito," Taiki whispered to Yaten, who blushed faintly. "Do you two mine?"
"Not at all," Haruka laughed. "We're enjoying the show."
"Get out Ten'oh," Yaten snapped, glowering at her as he pulled Taiki down onto a chair.
"Our pleasure Yaten," Seiya laughed and tugged Haruka towards the door. "I have something to tell you. I knew it would sound awkwardSeiya Haruka as your nameso I had my name changed to Kou Seiya so that you would be Kou Haruka. Is that all right?"
"That sounds good to me," she whispered.
"I'm glad you think so. So, shall we start planning for the wedding?" he asked, looking excited.
"It shouldn't be that hard to plan a wedding"
"Oh believe me, Ruka, it is very hard to plan a wedding. You've got to get your dress, the bridesmaids, the tuxes, the cake, the guests, the caterer, the place, the time, it's a lot of work."
"How would you know?"
"I was looking up things about weddings a few months agowhen I first got the thought I wanted to marry you."
"So you've been thinking about this for months?"
"Yes I have, but I wanted to wait a while until I was sure. Marriage isn't something you rush into. But I have to say" he whispered, stroking her cheek. "It was hell waiting."
She smiled slightly and the two of them spent the afternoon seeing how much things would cost and times, dates, asking around for people and guests, and they set a date for six months later. Every once in a while they had a spat over one color scheme or another and it was up to Taiki and Yaten to straighten them out. It got worse as the wedding day drew near and Haruka had to pick out her dress. So, Usagi and Minako dragged Haruka muttering and cursing into a store for her wedding dress. The woman tried to help her find her gown, but she kept cursing and swearing that she wouldn't wear anything without long sleeves.
"But miss that's really impractical. You're going to be hot and sweaty if the gown has long sleeves," the salesgirl protested and Haruka growled. "Wellperhaps we can find something."
Secretly the girl was afraid of Haruka after getting snarled at. Usagi and Minako compared and contrasted different gowns and Haruka rejected them all, much to their annoyance.
"Haruka-san, you can't get married in pants!" Usagi exclaimed. "Why don't you just pick a gown?"
"Because I don't like any of them. I don't like dresses and I never will," she retorted.
"I'm sorry miss, but we don't seem to have anything that will please her. We've tried everything but this one," the salesgirl said and pointed to the dress that was hanging on the dressing room door.
Haruka glowered at it, expecting to see another frilly dress, but her eyes beheld one of the most beautiful gowns she had ever seen. Seiya said he would love to see me in a gownthat one doesn't look so bad. She walked over and began to examine it, feeling the smooth material between her fingers. It was made of satin and the sleeves were long and bell-shaped at the ends, just perfect for her. The cut was simple and elegant, but the thing that caught her attention was the intricate designs and patterns on the full skirt, bodice, and arms. Usagi and Minako's jaws dropped at the sight of the gorgeous gown and Haruka turned to the girl.
"I want to try this one on."
She seemed surprised but helped Haruka with the gown. Seiya and Mamoru walked inside, along with Motoki, Minako's boyfriend. Minako greeted her boyfriend with a kiss and Mamoru smiled as he kissed Usagi softly. Seiya looked around, wondering where Haruka was. The two girls smiled sneakily and Usagi went to tap on her door.
"Oi, Haruka-san, Seiya's here."
"Is he? I'll be right out," she called.
The door opened and creamy white skirts swished out of the room followed by Haruka as she came out. Seiya's jaw nearly hit the floor as he gawked at the beautiful sight she made. The sleeves hugged her arms and there was a little keyhole in the front above her breasts. But best of all, at least in Seiya's opinion, the dress exposed her beautiful and creamy shoulders. Voluminous and soft skirts moved wherever she did and Haruka rather liked the effect. With some gloves and a pearl necklace, this shouldn't be all that bad, she admitted to herself. As she spun around and admired herself in the mirror, she felt rather proud of her body at that point. Haruka liked the look so much she forgot the others were there.
"Ara" she said and turned around. "What do you think, minna? Is it all right?"
"All right? It's beautiful!" Seiya gasped as he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. "I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight as you right now, Ruka."
"Arigato," she whispered, looking embarrassed.
Seiya smiled and the dress was bought without bloodshed on any parts. Haruka paid for it herself unflinchingly since she had her money from all of the races she'd won. After they had the dress, the tuxes were next. Seiya ended up choosing a black tuxedo with dark red accents. They chose wedding bands and six months later they were ready to be married. As the sun rose over the horizon, Haruka was pacing back and forth in Usagi's room.
"I don't know about this koneko-chanmarriage is a big step," she whispered, looking nervous.
"Don't worry, Haruka-san, things will be fine."
"I'm juston edge koneko-chan."
"Haruka-san, you're more than on edge and you know it. Come on, tell me what's bothering you."
"I'm scared koneko-chanI'm just scared about this entire thing. What if I'm no good at marriage? I never thought that I would be getting married to a malelet alone Seiya and this is making me nervous. Things are never going to be the same again after this."
"Haruka-san, all brides get cold feet. I know I dideven though I was in love with Mamo-chan."
"But that was destiny koneko-chan and this is something that could never have been predicted."
Usagi sighed, not knowing what to say to comfort the pacing blonde. Her hair was arranged with the navy blue roses and her veil and tiara were settled on her head and she had all of the old Western tradition things. Seiya and Haruka had decided to follow a wedding ceremony as if they were in the Western lands. Meanwhile at Mamoru's apartment, Seiya was mimicking his bride-to-be's steps by pacing back and forth all over the prince's apartment.
"Seiya, calm down, everything's going to be fine," Mamoru soothed, exchanging smiles with Taiki and Yaten.
"How can you all be so calm?" Seiya demanded.
"Because I know what it's like to get married," Mamoru replied.
"And we know that things will go off without a hitch," Taiki added, his arm around Yaten.
"Besides, you're always like this right before a big concert, so we just know it's normal," Yaten joked.
Seiya gave him a withering glare as he continued to pace wearing his pants and shirt with his tie hanging loosely around his neck, still untied. His hair was pulled back and neat, all of the others were calm and collected, but Seiya still looked like a mess. It's going to be a great wedding, Taiki thought as he placed a gentle kiss on Yaten's temple, then his neck. The hours flew by like minutes and before she knew it, Haruka was getting dressed.
"Koneko-chan, arigatoyou, Minako, and Makoto have been wonderful for agreeing to be part of my wedding. Ami has helped out a lot as welland where would I be without Setsuna acting as my escortand Hotaru sitting on my family's side. It's just all too perfect," she smiled. "I just get the feeling that something's going to go wrong today."
"Daijoubu Haruka-sanyou're going to be just fine. You and Seiya are perfect together."
Haruka still looked uneasy as she fastened the pearl necklace around her neck and Usagi helped her button her gloves on the wrists. She adjusted the waist of her gown before looking in the mirror. Is that really meor is it someone else? Usagi smiled as she got into her navy blue bridesmaid dress. Haruka adjusted her hair a bit before letting Usagi lead her to the car. They drove to the church and met up with Minako, Makoto, and Ami, who were waiting, all dressed in their bridesmaid dresses. Everyone greeted each other and admired Haruka's dress and engagement ring, which they had yet to see up close.
Everything was going great, until Hotaru came running in with Chibi-Usa, who came from the future once more. The two of them skidded to a halt, breathing heavily and talking together.
"Whoa, slow down you two," Haruka admonished, an amused look on her face. "Now what's wrong?"
"Michiru-san just walked in with this guy! And she's wearing an engagement ring too!" Hotaru gasped.
Haruka looked pale as Minako led Hotaru and Chibi-Usa away, trying to talk to them about what they had done. Looking as though she was going to be sick, Haruka sank down onto a chair and put her head in her hands. Usagi wrapped her arm around the older girl's shoulders, looking sad. I'm not going to let Michiru ruin this for me, Haruka vowed.
"So what if Michiru is out there. This is my wedding day and I'm not going to let that ruin it," Haruka whispered and got to her feet, adjusting her skirts and reaching for her bouquet.
"That's right Haruka-san," Usagi encouraged.
Seiya was waiting at the altar, fiddling with his cufflinks and looked around nervously. When he heard the music start to play, and the doors open to reveal Usagi escorted by Mamoru, Minako escorted by Motoki, Makoto escorted by Yaten, and Ami escorted by Taiki. Rei was sitting near the band, a smile on her face and Hotaru and Chibi-Usa were sitting in the front row. The girls and guys parted as they stood on their respectful sides. The music began again and everyone looked back as Setsuna walked in, Haruka on her arm. Seiya tried not to look back, although it was killing him, but Mamoru made sure that he stayed facing the altar. Haruka walked to the bottom of the stairs and Setsuna placed her hand in Seiya's. The navy-eyed singer's eyes bugged out of his head as he took in the beautiful woman that stood before him. It was as though the old Haruka was gone and here stood a gorgeous and feminine woman instead of a masculine woman.
"I don't think I've ever seen you look so beautiful," he whispered as he held her hand tightly in his.
"Arigato" she whispered as they walked to the priest and the entire church fell silent.
As the preacher went through the ceremony, Haruka reflected on the past year. It had been an eventful one to say the least, with their spats and occasional fistfights but the making up and being able to come home to someone who loved her and would never hurt her was better than anything. Haruka knew she had changed over the year. She was different than the others had remembered. Even though she had changed, the sandy-haired woman knew she was still herself and that was what mattered. Her fingers were laced through Seiya's and she knew that he would be loving and kind to her like he had been on their first night together.
Seiya too was lost in his thoughts. The brash, cold, and unforgiving person he'd met before was someone else entirely, yet she was still the same he knew. She was still strong, proud, opinionated, everything he knew and loved about her the first time they had slept together. And when he found out how spirited and kind she was, it made him all the more attracted to her. Everything seemed so great, and he couldn't wait to spend his life with her. He couldn't stop thinking about what would come after everything was all said and done.
"Do you have the rings?" the priest asked, bringing both of them out of their thoughts.
Usagi handed Haruka hers and Mamoru handed Seiya his. The priest smiled genially.
"Do you, Seiya, take Haruka to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till the gates of eternity and beyond?"
"I do."
"And do you, Haruka, take Seiya to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold in sickness and in health, till the gates of eternity and beyond?"
"I do."
"Exchange your rings."
Haruka slipped Seiya's ring on his finger and Seiya slipped her wedding band on her finger. The two of them clasped hands as the priest announced they were husband and wife and began to kiss each other like there was no tomorrow amidst cheers and cries from everyone. At the reception, Rei sang as Haruka and Seiya shared their first dance as husband and wife.
"I never thought I could be this happy," Haruka whispered as she smiled. "But I am."
"And so am I," he added.
Everything went wonderfully during the reception. People danced and ate and everyone enjoyed the music and the joyful atmosphere around them. The happiest of all were the bride and groom. Haruka couldn't wait for the wedding night and when she would finally be able to spend the rest of her life with Seiya. The two cut the cake and there was a toast to them.
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YAY!!! The wedding is finally here!!! And next comes the best part of all: the wedding night! *Grins* There WILL be lemon in the next chapter and if you're queasy do not read it. And it will most likely be NC-17, so you're warned. How long do you guys want Seiya and Ruka to wait before having a chibi? And do you think Yaten and Taiki should get together? ^^ And what about Michiru? Review!
~Ree