The June Bride and the Enchanted Garden

Our wedding was taking place that day at 3pm.
Sanji and I woke up at the crack of dawn.
In spite of the fact we had been too excited to get much sleep, we woke up surprisingly refreshed and vibrant.
There was still a lot to do before this afternoon.
We start to get our things together and get ready to set out.

We had had a discussion on whether or not to invite the others.
In the end we decided that this was something we wanted to ourselves.

"They understand." I said

"Ya, Luffy will be happy if we bring him back cake."

"If Chopper is there, he'd cry is cute little eyes out."

We laugh.
Yes they understood.
And it's not like we we're hiding the fact we were getting married today from them.
True we hadn't told them specifically…but we really didn't need to.
It was just another one of those unspoken understandings between all of us.
They already knew what we've been up to these pass few days.
And it seems they too have been busy these pass few days as well.

When Sanji had gone into the kitchen for his prepped ingredients for dinner there had been a gift box tied with ribbon and a bow on the table.

When Sanji brought it out to show me I could hardly hold back my tears.

"They can be so sweet sometimes."

There was a card attached.
It was decorated with smiling happy doodles of everyone and signed with well wishes from them all.

"So Robin explained to me what this 'marriage' thing was all about…She said it's when a couple promises to be a couple forever and stays together and love each other for the rest of their lives…I thought about that and…that really seems to fit you guys. I approve good luck with that. Ooh! And Ussop says there's a big cake! Bring me back some cake!" – Luffy

" Aw you guys are getting married. That's so romantic and sweet. Shut up! It doesn't make me wanna cry or anything! I'm a man after all. Jerk! Ooh! Can I have some cake too?" – Chopper

"So you guys are finally tying the knot…
Ah, it makes me nostalgic and reminds me of the time I was in the company of the beautiful and fabulous Princess Evelyn, the most beautiful and sought after woman in the Kingdom of Crystal Valley. She was so in love me and asked for my hand in marriage, but I, the Great Warrior of the Sea Captain Ussop, has to be free like the wind, I could not accept her offer I regretfully reclined, to her sadness and dismay..." - Ussop

"Cook san, Navigator san, I wish you well as you start making you're history together." – Robin

" Um…ya…congratulations or whatever…like I care…just…be…happy or some crap like that…" – Zoro

I giggle at their comments. "That's sweet of them…even Zoro in his own way…"

"Ya." Sanji smiles "We can open the present later tonight.
We should go check into the hotel now and get settled a bit."

Sanji and I makeour way into town.
The hotel Sanji had got us a room at was a beautiful resort hotel that was nestled on a hill side that over looked the town and had a prefect view of ocean on one side and the hills on another.
It had a hot springs bath on the premises with a spa where my voucher could be redeemed at.

While I was pampered and getting made over, Sanji took up his little allotted corner of the kitchen to start on our cake and set things up for making dinner later tonight.

By the time I had finished my herbal soak, massage, manicure, pedicure, and was facial scrubbed, masked, moisturized (with the little cucumber eyes and everything) and made up, I found that, when I went to the kitchen to retrieve my soon to be husband, Sanji had already finished a medium three level cake, had it frosted with fluffy white frosting and was now putting the finishing touches tubing out the decoration of meticulous white swirls and white flowers.

The waitresses and female chefs where in the kitchen staring starry eyed and drooling at Sanji's culinary confection masterpiece.

"Wow it's so pretty…I almost wouldn't want to eat it…"

"Oh but I bet it tastes just as good as it looks…"

The waiters and male chefs where grouped in discussion marveling at the quickness and efficiency my dashing first class chef had put together the whole deal.

"Just look at how he works…there's no wasted movement…"

"It came together so easily…such a complicated procedure…

"He pulled it off so quickly, but I see no flaw or imperfection…"

I watch my cute curly eye browed cook work his way around systematically piping bits of frosting here and there that, with a flick of his wrist, became flower petals and leaves. When he finishes, he steps back to look over his creation.
One last strategically placed daub of butter cream and he was done.

There came applause and wow's as Sanji grins at this accomplishment.

Sanji holds up a silver mixing bowl with spatulas spoons and beaters.
"Who wants to lick the bowl?"

"MEEE!" came squeals of delight.

Sanji steps out of the way as the mob of waitresses and waiters dive for the coveted frosting bowl.
Sanji pulls out a tray with small cake samples and offers it to the other chefs who relish the gift as if it had been bestowed by the heavens.

"Ah! Nami my sweet muse of perfection and grace." He beams after spotting me and flitters over to me "You look glowing and the very picture of beauty and exquisite loveliness…well you always are…but now even more so…if that's at all possible."

I blush and give a girly giggle.

"Sa! Nami swan my dearest love! How do you like it?
A 12 inch in diameter at the base, 11 1/4 inches tall Chocolate cake filled with caramel, vanilla, and chocolate butter creams, iced with butter cream and decorated with piped butter cream and sugar flowers all made with love from my heart and soul for you from me."

There came a collective heart felt 'Awwww' from the other girls in the kitchen.

There had been a time when such lavish complements and declarations annoyed me.
Until I realized, Sanji meant every word he said.

Other guys would say pick up lines and give lavish compliments and declarations as fast and easily as breathing.
They'd of course get shot down just as quick, because women could easily see how transparent and meaningless the words were.
Just because a guy promised the world, doesn't mean he was going to even try and give it to you.
See the difference was, if Sanji promised someone the world, he'd actual sincerely try and give it to you with everything his heart and soul could muster.

But he didn't promise the world.
He never made promises he couldn't keep.
And even if he managed to fail, you know he had tried his hardest and would still keep trying.
When Sanji said he made something 'with love from his heart' you could tell.
Call me crazy, but you could taste the love.

I tested it out once.
One time when Sanji made dinner I tasted what he made for me and then tried the same thing but from the plate of one of the guys.
There was a significant difference.
I then sampled the rest of the guys' food and noticed the variants on different levels.
It all still tasted good and wonderful and delicious beyond all reason, but there was that extra…something or lack of something, and it changed depending on the person.
In Luffy's you could taste the 'meh whatever'... Luffy doesn't really care.
If it's food he'll eat it, so what was the point in doing anything special?
In Ussop's and Chopper's you could taste the 'eh, you're actually useful and do work so you deserve something good and hearty'…
In Zoro's you could taste the 'I am so this close to food posing you'…
I tasted Robin's and noticed the 'I respect and revere you' flavor to it.

Sanji had told me his cooking was a reflection of his feelings; it's how he expressed himself.

I stood there and looked at the cake Sanji-kun had just finished making with all the love his kind, tender, affectionate heart could muster.

I smiled a big wide smile.
This was going to be the most decadently luscious, delectably delicious and all around mind numbinglyest yummy cake. Ever.
Numbing-ly-est is a word, 'cause I just said it!
Inside I'm doing a happy dance.

Woooot!
>"Yay! Sweet Sanji- kun wedding cake -joins in happy dance-
- "All of that cream and sugar can't be good for us but who the hell cares! -Is totally getting her groove on-

While I'm effectively inwardly happy dancing to my hearts content, I wrap my arms around Sanji's neck and bring him down to lovingly rub my cheek against his.

"It's wonderfully magnificent my tooth rottingly sweet chef of mine." I really had been around Sanji too much. Now he's got me spouting lavish complements. However, I find it catchy, and surprisingly fun.
I laugh at myself and kiss a delightedly surprised Sanji. "Come on love. We have to get ready."

We go up to our room to shower and change.

With men having it infernally simple and easy when it comes to dressing up, Sanji was dressed and looking hot and damn sexy in his suit in a mater of minutes.

He certainly blew my fantasy away.
I could hardly conceal my girly squeal of delight.
He grinned as I drool over the very smexyness of him.

"Well you only have yourself to thank my sexy love goddess. You're the one who bought this for me."

Actually I had Mistress Murasaki to thank for hooking me up.
Thank you Mistress Murasaki! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

On the other hand I, with the infernal curse of being female, still need to shave, pluck, primp, do my hair, hop around the room putting my stockings on, (sitting to put them on is for wimps and would be logical!) dress, and then redo my hair 'cause doing it after I pull the slip over my head would be sensible…

But it was ok. Because this gave Sanji time to go back to the kitchen and start off our dinner and debrief the chefs he deemed worthy of the task of keeping an eye on our scrumptiously delectable wedding night meal.

One I've finish my dance that is dressing up, I go to retrieve my sexy artisan chef.
He's in the kitchen giving afore mentioned debriefing to the head chef.

"It's all set. Just leave the meat in the roaster on low, you don't need to worry about it…
In like an hour heat the sauce to a simmer then throw it on a back burner on a low flame to keep it warm.
And if someone can toss the salad and mix the dressing for me that'd be great…ya just follow the recipe…it's simple…
Hu? Sure you can keep the recipe…here, the recipes for everything else too…
No, no I insist… as a thanks for letting me use your kitchen…ah.
N…ah…don't aw don't cry…heh…it's just a recipe…I…
You're certainly welcome…really...it's no big deal…"

I smile. Sanji sure is generous when it comes to his food. Most chefs would avidly guard their best recipes. But Sanji had no qualms about sharing in skills and culinary wisdom. He's such a sweet, giving person.

"Oi." I say leaning over the counter that was between the dinning room and kitchen. "I'm looking for a tall sexy blond guy. Says he's some big shot world class chef. You seen him around?"

Sanji grins and slinks over to me "Ah, I might know someone that fits that description…"
"Really? Great. Tell him to meet me out front. He's due to get married pretty soon."
"I'll do that mademoiselle." Sanji kisses my hand.

"Thanks." I smile walking off across the dinning room.
Sanji comes through the swinging kitchen and sprints to catch up.
He gets a head of me and opens the door with a grand sweeping motion.

"After you."

I smile a mischievous smile and as I go past him grab his tie and pull him through the door behind me.

….

It was about 2:30 when left the hotel to meet Judge Rosenfield at the edge of the town of Hanajima.

She was there with two young people that looked only a bit older than Sanji and I… or at lest they looked like people.
At second glance you felt something not entirely human about them, though not in a bad way.
They seem only a bit older than Sanji and I, but after rethinking that thought you see a wisdom in their eyes ones so young could never posses…

They're tall and thin.
Though they look frail and as if you could easily snap them in two, I sense a great under current of strength within them.
When I feel that, the notion of them being frail is erased from my thoughts.
The image of trees somehow enters my mind.
They were like trees, seemingly frail but in reality strong and sturdy.
There's an essence and vibe to them I like.
I feel with them the same comfort I feel when I'm in among my tangerine trees on the Going Merry, the same comfort and happiness I felt back home when I was with Belmare san and Nojiko in the tangerine grove.
Dryads? Is that what they are? Sprits of trees personified? I had read about them in fantasy books when I was little, but could they really exist.

Their skin is extremely pale but not in a sickly unhealthy way.
It seems to glow rich and vibrantly.
They both have long sweeping hair down to their knees.
One has shining golden hair with streaks of light golden brown.
It reminds me of komorebi, the soft warm sunbeams that shine through the leaves and branches of trees.
The other's hair is chestnut brown with highlights of red.

At first glance they both look female but with a closer look one, the blond, has a body that, in spite of the slight figure, was the soft and curvy body of a woman and the other however trim he seemed had the broader shoulders and more angled body of a man. And though the man's face was extremely pretty, there was something in it that was unmistakably masculine.

Judge Rosenfield smiles at us a sweeps a hand gesturing to the two.
"This is Amaterasu," the blond woman tilts her head in greeting "And Momiji." The man gives a slight bow.
"They are woodland elves." She explains "They and their clan have lived here on Hanajima long before it was inhabited by humans. They help take care of the islands plant life and tend the forest gardens. Amaterasu and Momiji tend the garden you chose and as such will lead us there.
Once we arrive they will perform a ritual giving you their clans blessing to wed there and also send you blessings of happiness and good fortune in your future together.

Wow, blessed by elves in an enchanted garden.
How's that for Romantic Ambiance.
Sanji and I bow in gratitude to the elves and thank them for such an honor.

We had seen in the book one of those gardens that looked enchanted and as if fairies lived there. It seemed to call to us, thus it's what we chose as our setting. With the elves there now, there was no doubt in my mind to think that it was enchanted and us coming upon this place had to be destiny.

Amaterasu and Momiji lead us through the forest on the outskirts of Hanajima. We follow a path that seems to open up right before us to the garden clearing we saw in the book.

It was a beautiful shady garden with a majestic oak a sweeping willow and other tall proud trees.
All around there were masses of beautiful flowers.
Rose bushes and buttercups, poppies and primroses, forget-me-nots and foxglove, and much more.
Beams of light streamed though the tree leaves and branches giving a magical glow to the place.
The light lit up the butterflies and dragonflies that filtered by.

I can't help but to be swept up in the wonder and majesty of it all.

"This is beautiful." I breathe

Amaterasu smiles "Shall we begin the ritual?" her voice is gentle and warm.

We smile and nod.

For the ritual Sanji and I stand together while Amaterasu and Momiji walk a circle around us while reciting their rite pact. At certain points they stop and perform an act having to do with a certain line in the pact.

"Earth. The Mother. That which gives shape and form." Amaterasu sprinkles salt on the ground.

"Fire. The Father. That which gives desirer and meaning." Momiji lights something that quickly burins up and disappears in an instant.

"Water. The Sister. That which gives nourishment and sustenance." Amaterasu pours water on the ground

"Wind. The Brother. That which gives voice and freedom." Momiji plays some melodic notes on a flute.

"Sprit. The Sovereign. That which animates and breathes life" Amaterasu is at the top of the circle and Momiji is at the bottom and they say these words with their arms raised and palms up.

"With these sacred elements we open this sacred ground.
With the right and privilege bestowed upon us we give our consent.
With the love and affection that resides in our hearts we give our blessing."

Amaterasu and Momiji walk to us and put our hands together.

"On this day of Gwenth in the season of Mawer this man and this woman will partake in the rite of sacred and loving union." While Amaterasu says this she wraps a silken sash around our hands.

"To this we wish them well and send tidings of everlasting happiness and joy." Momiji says this as he brings over a tray with a crystal wine flask and a wine glass on it.

Amaterasu takes the flask and pours wine into the glass. After she sets the flask back down she takes the glass and Momiji returns the tray from where he got it.

When he comes back, Amaterasu sips from the glass and then hands it to Sanji.
Sanji sips from the glass which is then taken by Momiji.
Momiji sips and offers the glass to me in which I drink what remains.
The wine is light, sweet and fruity.

Amaterasu takes the glass and sets it with the flask.

The ritual was done.

We thank Amaterasu and Momiji once again for the honor of taking part in such a ritual.

The elves walk off to the side and our own wedding ceremony begins.
Our ceremony takes place under an arch covered in a flowering vine.
It was simple and sweet.
In this enchanted garden, we vow our unconditional eternal love for each other.
And Judge Rosenfield, with the authority granted by the People's Council of the Joint Islands of Hanajima, pronounce us husband and wife.
With a kiss, Sanji and I are married.

>"Yay! We're married. Oh…I promised myself I wouldn't cry."

After Judge Rosenfield takes pictures for us, Amaterasu and Momij lead us back though the forest path.
Before they disappear back into the forest they give us a gift.
A case of the wine we had during the rite.
Momiji informs us smiling that one glass is more than enough for one…week.
We thank them once again and they head back into the forest.
Judge Rosenfield gives us her good wishes as bids us farewell and fair travels on the rest of our adventures before we part ways.

So the wedding was over.

Sanji and I were finally married.

Now comes the fun part.

But since I'm so devious and evil you'll just have to wait for the next part ;P XD

YAY! Sanji and Nami are married -throws confetti-

The actual wedding was kind of short after it was all said and done…after all that prep and such…but like it says…now comes the fun part

You know what I'm talking about…

The Honeymoon! And I promise it will include a hot steamy smexy bedroom scene with much fluff sap and all around sweet awww-ness for awww-ness sake to follow

But what I really want right now is some of Sanji's Cake made with love from his heart and soul
That's gotta be some damn good cake.

Mmmm Love Cake drools

Links to pics of the cake and Sanji and Nami's wedding picture are on my profile page

Japanese 101:

Komorebi (Ko-moh-le-be) has to be one of my fav Japanese words. It's one single word that means: The sun beams that shine through the leaves and branches of trees. With this one word you can set a scene perfectly and get a visual image instantly. I love Japanese.

Amaterasu (Ah-ma-teh-lah-sue) is the Shinto Goddess of the Sun and one of the most sacred deities in Japanese Mythology. She is the daughter of the God and Goddess who, according to legend, created Japan. So kind of like being the daughter of Zeus. Her twin brother, Tsukiyomi, is the Shinto God of the Moon. Back when the Emperor was considered part divine, it was Amaterasu whom the Imperial Family clamed lineage to. She is said to be enshrined at Ise Shrine, thus being one of Japan's most sacred shrines. So as a side stroy for the Amatersu I have in my story, She's the Head High Prestes of her Clan and daugter of the Clan Chief

Momiji (moh-me-jee) means red maple leaf, and when saying Momiji the image of when the leaves change to bright crimson in the fall comes to mind…I wanted just to go with my running theme of everything in Hanajima having names with refrance with flowers or other plants...sorry it's not as signifcant as Amaterasu...

Other: Gwenth and Mawer are just words I made up on the spot.

The rite the elves do isn't based on anything in particular I just sort of made it up on the spot too… so any resemblance it has to any kind of actual ritual is completely coincidental… If anything it might have the feeling of something Wiccan…I studied Wicca a little bit when I was in high school, but I don't practice it or clam to be Wiccan. I just have an interest in Wicca as well as the old Earth religions Wicca has it's roots in like the Panagn, Celt and Druid religions andmythologies, and thus of course am interested in Shinto also...Plus I'm also a Fantasy nut ...