Author's note:This story is a figment of my (er dark) imagination. Similarities to any situation is absolutely coincidental. Please Follow and Review! Thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS, Clamp does. I do not own the song Ever After, Bonnie Bailey does. Oh, and if you noticed, I also borrowed some of my favorite characters from a few Chinese novels that I've fallen in love with. So yea, I own no characters here. Zilch.
Thank you everyone for the likes and follows!
I even had new followers, yay!
Thank you very much to the people who never forget to leave a heartwarming review for me :) your cheering me on makes me want to immediately start with the next chapter. You guys rock! Thank you for your positive responses to my work!
@ChoiEmiri @Tatiana.tootsie, @ScrumptiousAngel13 , @WindofSilentBell, @PaytonP16, @keila , @SlayQueen8 , and @MiwaGuo :)
Here's another long chapter for you guys :) Hope I won't disappoint! :)
I want to upload this now, because the four silly boys are my favorites and I don't want to leave the situation like that for a long time. I know it was my own cliffhanger but really, I don't want you to hate them for a looooong time. :)
I'll just check and edit later so I apologize in advance for any grammatical / spelling error or maybe name mistakes.
/(T o T)/ Ganbaremasu!!! (๑T o T๑)/ Fighting!!!
Chapter 38: Semper Fidelis
Casa Nera ( at The Nuvola Nera)
September 8, 2015
Around 15:45
Natsume and Tsubasa returned to the boys' unit after discussing at the balcony about what they've just learned of what transpired in the past.
When they entered the open living area of the penthouse, they noticed that the boys were exactly where they were seated when they left fifteen minutes ago. It's like no one moved nor has spoken, not even a word.
Xiao Shi was sitting on the same couch with his back as straight as a rod, his hands laid on his knees, and both feet flat on the floor. His red-brimmed eyes stare straight at the wall ahead. He did not even move an inch when Natsume and Tsubasa opened the balcony door.
Honestly, he looked like a soldier awaiting for punishment.
Well, not just him. Mochu, Koko, and Kitsu are all seated in a quiet and orderly manner unlike how they usually are in ordinary days. All three cousins sat side by side in one long couch where Tsubasa would usually lie down whenever he's hanging out with them here.
Natsume looked around and saw that the place was even cleaned up a bit since no beer cans nor empty bag of chips are lying around unlike a few minutes ago. He looked at Ruka who was seated in a stool by the kitchen's island.
This guy. He even cleaned up a bit to appease Natsume's mood towards the boys.
Ruka gave him a nod and pointed at the clock.
Yes, they better get moving since they do still have a lot to do for Sakura's wedding. These four boys don't even know yet of the wedding, and they need them to get their souls back for them to lead their men during their tasks.
Tsubasa looked around and let out a loud sigh as he shook his head.
He walked towards the center of the room as Natsume followed him and stood right beside him.
"Stand up."
Tsubasa did not shout but his voice is loud and clear enough to bring the boys back to life again.
All four boys stood up and lined up in a straight row in front of the two. Ruka walked over and stood a beside Natsume then took a step back to assume his position.
Koko, Mochu, and Kitsu knew this is the indication that all of their actions from henceforth are under the Black Diamond's directive. They will neither be relatives nor friends but will be commanded as Natsume and Tsubasa's subordinates.
The three straightened their backs and gave the two superiors the official formal salutation of their group.
Xiao Shi is not a part of their organization but he was once a commander of the Wolves. So he gave them the Wolves' salutation and awaited for his retribution for bringing such danger to his older brother.
"At ease." Tsubasa returned their salute and stared back at them.
After a full three minutes of solemn silence, Tsubasa continued.
"Natsume and I have discussed about what you people have done. And after talking things through, we concluded that whether you did those unbelievable things that night or not, Syaoran will still end up with the same precarious situation. Included in the information we bought had also shown six other intricate plans of the unnamed syndicate on how to acquire Syaoran's specimen. It is inevitable. Their target is solely to produce a concrete bloodline of the future clan leader of the Lis."
All four boys almost lost their remaining strength when they heard of Tsubasa's insight. If it wasn't for the fact that they've gone strenuous military and combat training all their lives, they would've fallen weak on their knees.
Especially Xiao Shi. This is his family they're talking about after all.
He has a hundred questions to ask but he restrained himself from moving or speaking out. He is a soldier at this moment, and not a family friend.
Natsume, on the other hand, was watching Xiao Shi's movements intently.
Tsubasa continued,
"Although it was inevitable, the fact that you four became putty under the hands of the enemy and have played according to their plans which endangered your family and our baby's fiance. And you have in fact brought imminent trouble to Sakura and Syaoran's supposedly bright future."
All four men's eyes dimmed. Koko looked like he was biting the inner part of his cheeks to keep him from crying loudly.
"Therefore, starting tomorrow, all of you will undergo combat training for level 1 martials at the the training grounds across. This will continue for two weeks and you are not allowed to have contact to anyone else besides me, Ruka, and Natsume."
Tsubasa turned to look at Xiao Shi.
"This will be more difficult to you but you have to endure as it is part of your punishment. You have to understand how even small, insignificant or silly things may seem, our enemies can use it against us."
Xiao Shi gave a salute to Tsubasa. "Understand, Sir!"
Natsume finally spoke up.
"What Tsubasa meant to say is that it is more difficult for you because we have only rescued you a few days ago and you've only been with them for a day before they needed to return to Hong Kong. They are currently on their way here now because Syaoran has prepared a surprise wedding for Sakura this evening but this time, they'll be staying for a week."
Four sets of eyes widened in surprise.
Inwardly, Tsubasa is extremely proud that these silly boys actually maintained their position and silence despite such a shocking news.
Tsubasa looked at Natsume and said, "It's okay. Xiao Shi will still get to see and be with them tonight. Training will start at 5 in the morning the next day so all is good." turning to Xia Shi. "Any problem with that?"
Xiao Shi saluted, "None, Sir!"
He can just visit them back home next month.
Tsubasa turned his attention to the rest. "You?"
Mochu, KoKo, and Kitsu all gave him a salute too, "None Sir!"
Satisfied with their actions, Tsubasa gave a curt nod."At ease. Then here are your tasks for Sakura's wedding. It will start at eight in the evening and Syaoran has already delegated the tasks to both his group and ours. The challenge of this wedding is that Sakura doesn't know a thing about it and it should remain that way until the very last minute. Now, Oyaji (A/N: Amamiya Masaki) has taken upon our group to take over the security surrounding the Manor since that's where the wedding will be held."
All four nodded and awaited for orders.
Natsume turned to look at Xiao Shi "You will be in charge of the security for your family. Bring fifty of our men and pick the Lis up at the Narita airport right now. Mei Ling has already contacted me and she brought 100 of your men, all of which are to keep the Lis safe and also to represent the Wolves to Syaoran's wedding."
At this point, Ye Mei entered the room and Natsume pointed him to Xiao Shi. "Go with him. He has already prepared everything you need. But remember, Ye Mei is to assist you only, take this opportunity to take the lead and make the correct decisions."
Xiao Shi was honored at Natsume's trust. "Understood, Sir!"
With a final salute, he turned towards Ye Mei and walked out of the door.
"Now, for the rest of you." Natsume continued as he glared at his younger cousins. Now that Xiao Shi is gone, the temper he's been trying to rein in is starting to flare up again.
He still can't believe someone he has trained for years got played at by that stupid syndicate. He is an Amamiya and Hyuuga. He had taken these stupid boys under his wings and for what? To just drink all day and night and get used by just whoever?
Mochu, Koko, and Kitsu watch in fear as the look at the fiery glint in Natsume's crimson eyes.
Koko gulped as he saw him clench and unclench his right fist.
Will he even live to attend the first day of training tomorrow?
"Koko."
"Hai!" Koko squeaked as he stand in attention the moment his name was called.
"Assist Tono as he secure the perimeter of the Manor and the 2-mile radius around it. Also make sure that the traffic near the Manor is the same as how it usually is during ordinary days to avoid suspicion of Sakura."
Tsubasa added, "Make sure that all guests will have only one route to take and that they will only be dropped off at the back entrance of the Manor since Sakura will be getting in at the main entrance. If the surprise is ruined just because of a single vehicle that aroused our astute baby girl, your imagination won't even be able to conjure how Oyaji will torture you after."
This, Koko believes.
"Understood, Sir!"
"Go. Tono is waiting for you at the Manor."
Koko quickened his pace without looking like he is running away. Finally, he can leave this place. He did not even care that he's just wearing his boxer. Anyway, he has some gym clothes in his car.
Ruka rolled his eyes at Koko and then threw him a white shirt, like what he did to Xiao Shi. He had already knew these four will rather run out the unit in their boxers than go back in the room to dress up. What if Natsume changed his mind and call them back? No thank you!
So Ruka took it upon himself to lend them his shirts. At least they won't have to get out and go to the basement shirtless.
Tsubasa now turned to look at the remaining two.
"Go together and contact the two television network that covered the Banquet. Get them to broadcast the wedding live in the local news tonight. One of you will be in charge of the media from Japan, China, and Hong Kong. Make sure everything will go smoothly and that Sakura will not know about this."
Continuing, "the other one will accompany Ruka as he gather the rest of our men." Looking at Ruka, Tsubasa instructed "I only want the Oyabuns to represent their groups in the inner area of the garden. The rest of the top five men of their groups will stand in position at the middle area. You know what to do. And make sure none of our men will look like yakuzas. We'll just pass it off as part of AGC's security team. They will also be in charge of releasing the wish lanterns that Sakura loved since young. I've already placed the order for five hundred of those, it'll be delivered at the Manor in 30 minutes."
Ruka saluted to Tsubasa and looked at Mochu. "You better go with me. Your piercings will scare the media."
Natsume nodded in agreement and pulled out something from his pocket. He gave it to Mochu and said, "I want you to look into this group. Have your people to gather information. I have a hunch that this is the group responsible for what happened with Syaoran."
Remembering their naivety, an intense killing aura surrounded Mochu. "I'll start immediately, Sir!" With a snap salute, Mochu and Ruka immediately left the room.
Kitsu also said his goodbye and turned to walk away.
"Change first into proper attire, stupid. You'll be going to the television station!" Tsubasa clapped the back of Kitsu's head.
"Ouch! Alright, I will!" But before taking a step, Kitsu remembered something.
"Hey, Natsu-nii, Tsubasa-nii!" Being too frightened a while ago, Kitsu lost all his arrogance and subconsciously reverted to his cute-like younger cousin personality.
"While we were seated here waiting for you to finish your talk with one another, I racked my brains and tried to remember clearly what happened that night." Kitsu scratched his head.
"Actually, we were just drinking at the lounge area beside our rooms at the university back then. No one else was supposed to there since Syaoran is very strict with our privacy every time he'll accompany us like, three times in a month. But what's weird is that we've only had a few bottles to drink and we couldn't control our actions. I remembered a few minutes ago that there was a certain point that time that my mind was completely aware of what was happening but I couldn't control my body. I saw three women enter the lounge and one settled herself at the middle of Mochu and Koko while the other woman sat beside Xiao Shi. I was lying on the couch, facing everyone but I guess because of my already hazy look, none of them bothered with me."
Natsume pondered on these new information.
"So you were drugged?"
"That's what I think. And they were whispering at the boys' ears so I also think that it wasn't our idea to go to Xu's hospital and do something as stupid as saving our specimens."
Tsubasa nodded in agreement as he tapped a finger on his chin. "Possible. Do you remember what those girls look like?"
Kitsu shook his head sadly. "My vision was a bit blurry then and even my hearing wasn't as sharp as it should be."
Natsume knitted his eyebrows. "Since we went to the same international university, you should at least remember what nationality those three women are. It will help a lot in our investigation"
Kitsu sat down and closed his eyes for a while. After a few minutes, his eyes opened and he excitedly said,
"I remember now! One of them was a tall European girl! Well, I don't know if she is European but she is tall Caucasian with long blond hair. The other two are both Chinese."
"Who went to where Syaoran is?"
"The one who we told to go get Syaoran in his room is a Chinese, I am sure of it. Maybe that's why if someone else in the hallway saw the girl enter Syaoran's room, nobody find it odd since she's also Chinese. And she has an overnight boston bag with her so to outsider's, it looked like she and Syaoran have something going on."
Natsume and Tsubasa exchanged a meaningful look with each other.
"Excellent job, Kitsu. I think you've just raised the probability of the syndicate that I've handed over to Mochu to look into."
Kitsu's head snapped back fast to look up at Natsume. With blazing eyes, he clenched both his fists.
"Hontou, Natsu-nii?" his previous gentle voice turned ice-cold in a flash. "We can close on them?"
"We will. I just need to confirm some things with Mochu tonight. Tell the others to concentrate on your training. I'll put you four in the frontlines for your revenge.We'll go for the most brutal kill."
--XoXoXo--
The Manor
Around 20:15
The piano, violin, and cello accompaniment resumed.
And right now, my whole focus is just at Syaoran's face as his expression gets clearer and clearer to Sakura.
"Time stands still Beauty in all she is
I will be brave I will not let anything take away What's standing in front of me Every breath Every hour has come to this"
Looking at the dazed expression on Syaoran's face when they were just a few steps from each other, she tightened her hold on Fujitaka's arm for a second and whispered,
"Dad… thank you. And you don't have to worry, I am very much happy with my choice."
Fujitaka covered her hand with his and bent down to drop a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
Syaoran walked the last few steps to close their gap.
Without taking his eyes off his beloved daughter, Fujitaka then lifted her hand off his arm and gave her one last hug. Then he placed Sakura's gloved hand over Syaoran's raised arm.
Fujitaka smiled warmly at Syaoran.
"You know what you must do."
Syaoran took his eyes from Sakura for a while and looked straight at Fujitaka's deep brown eyes.
"I love her more than my life, Dad."
Fujitaka gave Syaoran a nod and clapped his arm.
"I believe in you, son."
With that, he stepped out of the aisle and took his seat at the front beside the General who's been crying silent tears from the moment he saw Sakura under the archway.
Syaoran smiled at Sakura and then carefully led her to where the General is.
Very much surprised at his move, Masaki's tears poured out more as he stood up and gave his treasured grandchild a tight hug.
Sakura cried softly and hugged him back. "Jii-chan...thank you for approving of our marriage." her voice a bit hoarse from trying to keep herself from crying since the beginning.
Sobbing, Masaki held her shoulders and pushed her an arms-length away from him. As he gaze down at her beautiful blushing face, Masaki whimpered.
"Oh baby, Grandpa never thought of depriving you of your true love. Grandpa just wanted you and Syaoran to understand both of your respective place in your family. Grandpa also just want you both to grow up in the last three years."
"Jii-chan…'Sakura cried and hugged him back. "I have never been this happy. Thank you Jii-chan...thank you Dad…"
Masaki patted her back and coaxed her lovingly, "There, there little Sakura, stop crying now. It's a good thing you look beautiful whether you cried or not." he then kissed her left cheek and handed her to Syaoran.
Looking at the tall man before him, the great old General grabbed his shoulder and gave him a quick hug. With a voice that only the two of them can hear, Masaki said with all sincerity,
"Thank you, Xiao Lang. No need to promise me. I know I can trust you with her. Only you."
With one of his rare smiles, Syaoran hugged him back. Releasing Sakura for a while, he took a step back and gave both Masaki and Fujitaka the customary salute performed by a high-ranking Wolf to the Commander-in-Chief.
He then took Sakura's hand back and placed it with all gentleness on his left arm.
"Finally," Syaoran whispered to her ear. "Everyone will know you are my one and only wife. No one can replace, even death cannot separate us."
A pair or emerald eyes more beautiful than any gem, glistening with tears, look back up to his mysteriously deep amber ones.
"Husband, you and I are the same, you are my life, as I am yours. Nothing can separate us from now on."
Syaoran bent down and kissed her plump lips. Placing both her hands around his neck, he then held her tiny waist and pressed her soft body against his.
"Xiao Lang, what are you doing?" she's feeling warm all of a sudden since she could feel Syaoran's body heat emitting back at her.
"Baby, I love you." he whispered on her lips and gently nibbled on it.
Sakura felt like she's losing her rationality and her eyes fluttered a bit.
Then all the electric lights all over the whole Manor, even the street lights outside within a kilometer radius went out at the same time.
Only the candles along the aisle where they are standing on lighted the place, aside from the bright moon and thousands of stars above their head.
Even the twinkling yellow lights were turned off this time.
Sakura looked around and saw more candles of different types and length placed in different places and elevation were lighted up. Some appear like they're floating mid air, while some are moving slowly as if floating above water.
"Xiao Lang…" her eyes widened as she took in the sudden change of her surroundings. It's like from an ethereal garden surrounded with people they love and loves them back, they were transported in a snap to a mysterious place wherein it is only just her and her Xiao Lang.
"Baby…" Syaoran tightened his hold around her and kissed the top of her right ear.
"Forever can never be long enough for me Feel like I've had long enough with you"
Hiro's enchanting voice suddenly belted out a song in acapella.
"Forget the world now we won't let them see But there's one thing left to do"
Syaoran's warm breath blew on her left ear as he sang along, and she cried again despite the goosebumps appearing to where Syaoran's breath is and where some of their skin brush together.
Syaoran held her in his arms as he gracefully led her to a slow dance.
With the musical accompaniments, the sweet song continued to serenade the crowd.
But what can all those grand instruments and top ranked band compare to Syaoran's exclusive singing for her?
"Now that the weight has lifted Love has surely shifted my way"
His low, cello-like voice sounding a thousand times more heavenly than Hiro's higher pitched one. Hiro got the right tone and pitch as the original artist but Syaoran didn't fall too far; his passionate and emotional singing melted Sakura's heart right at the first word. Sakura gazed deep in his eyes as he twirled her once and then pulled her to his strong, hard chest.
"Marry me" Syaoran whispered as his thin lips grazed for a few seconds on hers..
"Today and every day"
"Marry me" He kissed her again on the lips "Say you will…"
"Together can never be close enough for me Feel like I am close enough to you You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love you"
Swaying from side to side, Syaoran continued to sing for her exclusively while Hiro's voice resounded all over the venue.
"And you're beautiful" Syaoran's voice grew a bit raspy this time.
"Now that the wait is over And love and has finally shown her my way Marry me Today and every day".
Then, as if he hasn't done enough of surprising Sakura that her heart felt like it has stopped too much today already, Sakura covered her gaping mouth with both of her gloved hands as she watch Syaoran drop down on one knee and pulled out a box of black velvet from the inside pocket of his elegant gunmetal suit.
Apart from a few loud gasps from the guests, only the sweet blending of the piano, harp, violin, and acoustic guitar can be heard in the venue.
Then, Syaoran's low and a bit hoars yet sexy voice sounded on the surrounding speakers all over the place. four wide screen television burst into life and a close up of Syaoran and Sakura's face was shown on them.
"Amamiya-Kinomoto Sakura, will you take me, Li Xiao Lang, as your lawfully wedded husband?
I do not know what lies ahead of us, but these things I promise to you. I won't swear upon my life because it is not nearly as important to me as yours.
So I promise to you, upon both your life and mine, that I will always choose to be your lover, to be your friend, your partner in everything and in anything.
I will always be right beside you, laughing with you and caring for you when things are peaceful and joyous.
I will give you strength and utmost support when things get difficult and pain is inevitable.
I will love you with all that I am, with everything I have, and with everything I will acquire.
I will honor you, respect you, encourage you, and place you above everything else.
You are the light in my world.
You are my life.
You are the only person I have fallen in love with and will stay in love with until as long as eternity exist.
You will be the only mother of my children, and I will be the only father of yours.
No one and nothing else can be more important than you and our children.
Whatever you say shall always be above my words.
You say go North, I'll ask how far.
You say shut up, I won't even say a word, I promise I'll just nod enthusiastically. "
Sakura giggled when she heard the last line. through her sobs. She has gotten so weak in the knees that she has already bent down to stabilize herself as Syaoran held her left hand in his.
"Marry me?"
Sakura couldn't hold on any longer. She jumped towards Syaoran and hugged his neck tightly as she buried her face in his neck.
"Of course! Of course, of course, of course!" she cried almost hysterically. It's a good thing that Syaoran's neck muffled her voice a bit and it wasn't broadcasted in its raw form.
"Sakura….I love you." Syaoran gently pulled her away from him for a few inches and he sat down right on top of red petals on the floor. Then he placed Sakura on his lap and opened the velvet box in front of her.
There inside it was the most gorgeous sapphire and diamond platinum ring she has ever seen in her life. It was a 20-carat cushion-set sapphire flanked on each side with a 3-carat diamond. It has just these three huge stones; the band itself isn't encrusted with smaller diamonds. One may even go crazy into believing this is a simple ring. But no, Sakura is very much familiar with this one ring. This is a part of the antique collection she has seen years back which the famed mysterious jewelry designer X has set into auction, then at the last minute, changed his mind and pulled it out. He then released the order that apart from paying the skyhigh price, before one can acquire this collection, there is just one simple requirement the seller need to meet. And that is, he must have the heart to buy it only for the sole purpose of giving it to his wife, nothing else. Not to collect and display, not to add as an asset or investment, but it must be given simply as a gift for his one and only wife.
Then, Syaoran took out another ring, this time, there is no huge gem on it but instead, the whole platinum ring was paved with clear-cut diamonds of equal shape and size. Sakura's sharp eyes quickly saw that like the sapphire ring, the inner part of this band has also been engraved with "Semper Fidelis SS". Now, this ring t looked like it isn't made under such a tight schedule. Sakura turned her head to send a questioning look at Syaoran.
"I've had it made three years ago. It was just at home, waiting for you."
What did I do to deserve such a perfect man?
Sakura's hand trembled as Syaoran lifted her left hand and removed her white gloves. He gently kissed her bare left ring finger first before placing the dazzling diamond band around it first. Then he pressed his lips on the ring and then afterwards, he kissed Sakura on the lips.
Then he took the sapphire ring and then inserted it on her left ring finger beside the diamond band.
He lifted her hand and kissed the rings, and then before kissing her on the lips again, Syaoran's voice echoed in the venue,
"I, Li Xiao Lang, will be forever faithful to you, Li Amamiya Sakura."
Sakura almost breathlessly answered him back, "Semper Fidelis, husband. I love you forever."
She reached out and snuggled closer to him before taking the initiative to give him a long kiss first. Well, it wasn't that long, like thirty seconds only. They are after all still under everyone's watchful eyes.
After the kiss, Sakura took the remaining platinum band in the box. This ring is the most simple of all three, with just three diamonds embedded right at the center. This diamond are made from the same one as Sakura's and its clarity and brilliance is amazing. It may appear a bit too much for a male to wear but who is Xiao Lang? He doesn't give a damn. He just wanted to have his wedding band to be similar to Sakura's. Same platinum band, same diamond stones, same engravings.
Sakura's voice shook a bit when she suddenly spoke. Her sweet, melodious voice touched the hearts of everyone present and her family wiped the tears off the corner of their eyes as they listen to their beloved baby speak words of love towards her chosen man.
"I, Amamiya-Kinomoto Sakura, take thee, Li Xiao Lang, as my lawfully wedded husband from today until the very last day of eternity.
What I have is yours and what I will acquire belongs to you.
My children will bear only your blood, and my children will only have you as their father from the day they are born until the ends of eternity.
I will be the wife you have always dreamed of,
the friend you have always yearned for,
the partner you need to support you even through the most difficult times.
I will laugh with you and care for you in our joyous times, and I will cry and weep for you when we are troubled.
I will wipe your sweat, your tears, and even your blood.
I will avenge you when you can't, and I will support you in those times when you can.
I will be your strength, your source of joy, your light, your fortress, and your home.
I will be everything you need and you want for me to be.
I am your one and only wife, in this lifetime and for the rest of forever. I am yours and you are mine, I love you, my Xiao Lang."
Then she inserted the wedding ring around his left ring finger and gracefully bent down to kiss it like he did with hers.
As she straightened up, she hooked her arms around his neck again.
"Semper fidelis, my love." then she kissed him and Syaoran tightened his hold on her waist.
Cheers and applause erupted in the Manor.
Fireworks were lit up across the sky.
Bells rang from somewhere.
People played with hundreds of party poppers as they celebrated the end of the most extraordinary wedding they've seen so far.
The wedding official went over to where Syaoran and Sakura are still kissing and awkwardly ushered them towards the front where an elevated platform was placed. There on top was a rectangular table covered with ivory linen and muslin, topped with red embroidered lace. On the table were the marriage certificates and documents the newlyweds need to sign.
Syaoran guided Sakura towards the table and help her settle in one of the two luxurious ivory and gold seats with red cushions for the back and bottom part.
Sakura was very much pleased with the decors of her wedding.
Their table had circular bouquets of roses of different shades of red, like deep blood red to the vibrant red ones. These flowers are placed in different sized low glass bowls which created good aesthetic from those seated below . Two tall candles placed on golden candelabras were placed near the front end of the table.
Behind the couple's chairs and acted as their backdrop were numerous tall green and lush plants inserted with different flowers of violet, lilac, dark pink, and light pink shades. Some flowers are long stemmed, some are short, some are lilies and orchids, some are hyacinths, some are flowers she doesn't even know what are called. Yet altogether, they worked and blended beautifully. She loved it so much.
Syaoran saw her smiling at the decors around the area and he gently pressed her to his side.
"I just had a general idea of everything. But it was your family, Shen Miao, and Rachel who did most of the decoration work."
"I love everything, husband. You are simply amazing."
Syaoran kissed the tip of her nose and helped her arrange her skirt to assure she's comfortable and then took the seat beside her as they follow the official's instructions on where to sign their signatures and place their personal and family stamps over the documents.
After all the documents has been settled, both the Amamiyas and the Lis went up the platform to officially greet the wedded couple.
Touya took the microphone from the host and thanked the guests for coming.
"But before we start with the dinner, I would like request everyone to pick up the paper lanterns placed inside a box under your table. And for those standing, these lanterns will be handed to you by our people."
When all six hundred guests were holding one paper lantern each, Touya continued,
"It is our family's honor to have each one of you say a prayer for Xiao Lang and Sakura. Once you light the candle inside, say your prayer for them. Then after I count to three, let us all release the lighted lantern altogether."
Sakura glowed happily as she watched over everyone else. Her position is just perfect and it looked like a sea of six hundred paper lanterns below her. She pressed Syaoran's hand and placed her head on his left shoulder.
As all the lanterns flew up in the air, she hear Syaoran ask from above her head,
"What did you pray for?"
Sakura's eyes settled on a single paper lantern which flew a bit higher than the rest.
"I want us to have a child soon."
Unseen by her, Syaoran's eyes also turned to look at the sky of floating lanterns, and hurriedly whispered the same prayer as hers.
——xoxoXoxo—
[Song: Marry Me - Train]