The Gun & the Sword.
Chapter XIII: Thunderstorm.
Keiranto sighed. The trip back from Anchorage to Kyoto had been uneventful, apart from a small problem with getting Rikku through customs. However, a few words from Hinata Urashima had persuaded the officer to let them board the plane. As soon as the elders of the two families met, they hit it off immediately and chatted to each other for hours before finally stopping telling each other stories for long enough to give Keiranto & Motoko their blessings. The pair then wasted no more time that day, agreeing for the wedding to be held at the Aoyama dojo, with the reception back at the Hinata inn. They also agreed that the honeymoon should be in Hokkaido, right near Cape Soya. Tired out from all the planning and jet lag, they retired to separate rooms at the Shinmei school to rest. As they passed through the door, the rain intensified and there was a faint rumble of thunder.
Keiranto was sitting at the kotatsu, hard at work. His pistol lay, broken down into all its separate parts and he had just finished cleaning the last piece when the lights went down. He calmly but quickly put the gun back together as if nothing had happened, he could do it one handed and blindfolded if needs be. He picked the gun up, slid a magazine in and got up. He heard a movement outside over the roar of the storm and immediately stiffened, on his guard. Rikku, in the corner, looked over at him and growled, "Friendly."
Keiranto laid the gun down and opened the door. He saw Motoko standing outside, dressed in a simple sleeping kimono. She looked like she was just about to knock on his door. He let her into the room and asked what the matter was.
Motoko blushed and spoke quietly. "Well, the thing is, I-I'm scared Keiranto. These storms have always frightened me, usually I had Onee-san or Su to help me through but tonight, well, I just want you to keep me safe."
Keiranto nodded, "Of course, my love," and cradled her in his arms, her head leaning against his chest. His hand slowly stroking her hair, whispering "It's ok, I'm here, I'll always be here fore you, you'll be alright, everything's going to be alright, I'll protect you, always."
He stayed like that all night, even once she fell asleep, just sitting there, holding her.
Motoko woke up the next morning to find him still watching over her, cradling her in his arms, looking down at her with love etched into his features.
"Oh, Keiranto, you staked up all night, you shouldn't have. You must be shattered, you poor thing."
He flashed her a slightly weary grin, "It's ok, as long as you are alright."
Motoko moved her face upwards and kissed him long and passionately.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me."
A few hours later, they split up, Keiranto, along with Keitaro and Seta went off to finalise the details for the wedding, reception and honeymoon, and Motoko with the rest of the women to go get fitted for dresses. A few hours later, tired but happy, he had booked a luxurious hotel on Cape Soya for the honeymoon, ordered food and a band for the wedding and reception, and purchased a dark red shirt, navy blue tie, and black suit to wear on the big day.
While that was happening, Motoko and the other Hinata residents were all standing in the best bridal boutique in Kyoto, with Motoko trying on a beautiful white dress. When she came out of the changing room, everyone stared at her, dumbfounded. She looked absolutely radiant in a long flowing dress with a white veil inset with silver. The same thought ran through all the girls' heads at the same time. "Kawaii!!!"
With all the other girls fitted for dresses; Su and Shinobu in pale pink bridesmaid's dresses and all the others in dark purple gowns, they all met up with the men and Keiranto and Motoko went off to choose the rings.
They spent a good two hours in the jewellers, laying out a design for the rings, which would be forged specially out of the best metals the smiths had to offer. The final design, swirls of gold, silver and copper in a simple band, bearing the inscription "Together, always" and the other's name. The rings would be specially treated so they would never tarnish. Keiranto looked over at Motoko. She was positively glowing, alive with beauty as they gave the smiths the designs. He thought again just how much he loved her, he would do anything for her, even give his life.
As he put his signature on the document to finalise the order for the rings, Motoko looked at him. She loved him so much that even being in the same area as him filled her with energy and happiness, she could not wait until they finally became man and wife. The wedding was set for the 6th march, with Shinobu and Su as bridesmaids, Keitaro as the best man, and Tama-Chan and Rikku as ring bearers. She could not wait.