It was raining heavily. The rain pattered relentlessly on the roof, their noise repetitive and almost... soothing, in a way. Beyond the shoji, the rain had created a grey haze that was nearly impossible to see through.
Tokio leant against the shoji; her legs curled up under her. She was wrinkling her silvery silk yukata, her underdress, but she didn't care. It wouldn't show under the shiro-maku anyway. The overdress was elaborate enough. Her eyes were closed and her face sombre as she lay there quietly, feeling the dampness of the rain that had splashed in despite the barriers of a roof.
All her friends had gotten married on fine spring days, with the petals of the cherry blossom floating above their smiles. Just as well. They were happy with their marriages, even if they had been arranged. She was not. Her heart belonged to another. So just as well that it was raining. It would have felt entirely wrong, smiling, flower petals falling down on her head when all she wanted to do was retreat and let the tears wet her cheeks.
The shoji slid open.
"Tokio?"
The young woman turned around. "Yes?"
Her mother smiled. "It's time to put on your headdress and your shiro-maku." Silently, Tokio nodded and stood up, allowing the heavy headdress to be placed on her head. Despite the weight, her back was proudly erect. The shiro-maku was put on, and all of Tokio's favourite accessories like her necklace, were removed.
Her hand rose unconsciously to retain her necklace even as her mother pulled it away, then settled back. A bride could not bring anything from her old house to the new. She had to mold herself into the new role her husband's family expected of her. Any old items meant defiance and unwillingness. That was not allowed.
She said her last farewell to her family in the guestroom, then turned and walked out of the house, her betrothed at her side. Servants carried umbrellas over them, ensuring that not a single drop of rain spattered onto them. Behind her, Tokio felt someone lifting up the heavy material of the overdress.
The walk seemed endless. But Tokio did not mind. The monotony of the walk- left, right, left, right- gave her solace from her thoughts.
Okita Souji was saying something. She lifted her head.
"Sou ka."
And even though it was raining inside her heart, she smiled her usual reserved smile back.
Author's note: This was a prologue I did for a friend's fanfic because I was nosey and just wanted to do a pretty, but basically meaningless-by-itself one-shot. It's an AU story and a Tokio-Saitou-Okita triangle. Yes, it's kind of weird, but hey. I'm not that sure about traditional Shinto weddings, so if anyone knows anything about this, e-mail me and tell me what's wrong with the procedure and I'll gladly amend it. :D All comments and critique greatly welcomed.