Me: So apparently, there was some trouble with my latest chapter of Xiaolin Academy, and so now i'm hoping that nothing will happen to this chapter, mainly because it's the one pretty much all of you have been waiting for....the wedding chapter!!!!

Cari: All those people counting on you to do an awesome job on this chaper. No pressure, of course!

Me: (sighs) Of course not. Alrighty, a few things. There is an IMPLIED lemon in this chapter. Not an actual lemon, but an IMPLIED!!! Therefore, I see no need to change the rating of this story from T to M. Second, instead of posting the links to the dresses in this chapter, they will be posted on my profile. So, no more rambling, on to the show!!!


"Take deep breaths, Kimi-cub. You'll do fine." Lilia reassured her. Kimiko could only nod, not trusting herself to speak.

Today was the day they had all been waiting for, the day Raimundo and Kimiko would become as one. So it went without saying that the bride-to-be was just a tiny bit nervous.

"Oh dear God, what if he doesn't want to marry me anymore?" Kimiko voiced aloud. Lilia and Emeline just rolled their eyes.

"He wants to marry you, Kimiko. I just went to check on him about five minutes ago. Honestly, I think he's more nervous than you are." Emeline said frankly.

"And that's saying something." Lilia muttered, adjusting Kimiko's veil.

"What if he's been abducted?! What if he needs me to save him?!" Kimiko was ready to gather her dress and tear off to where Raimundo and the boys were getting ready.

"He hasn't been abducted Kimiko! Honestly, you need to get your head on straight." Lilia said, exasperated.

"And besides, you know the rules. You and Rai can't see each other before the wedding." Emeline chided. Suddenly, Aliane walked into the room, smiling broadly as she got her first look of Kimiko in her wedding gown. The gown was a one-piece, strapless, fitted A-line gown with a dipped neckline and corset closure. There were embellished corded lace flourishings throughout the bodice, as it gently trailed from the dropped waist onto the gathered tulle skirt.

"Oh, my darling Kimiko, you look amazing!" Aliane gave her a tight hug, which Kimiko happily returned.

"Thank you Aliane. That means a lot." Kimiko smiled.

"Oh, you should see how nervous my son is. I had to restrain him from running to see if you were ok." Aliane laughed, Kimiko flushing as she remembered her own thoughts not so long ago.

"Kimiko's been a handful as well. Ok, that should do it!" Lilia finished adjusting Kimiko's veil and stepped back to see her work.

"Perfect!" she beamed.

"Like a princess." Aliane sighed happily.

"Ok, time for the checklist. Something old?" Emeline asked, referring to the age-old traditions of brides everywhere.

"A locket I got from my mother on my 5th birthday. It was given to her by her mother, and so on and so forth." Kimiko clutched the small gold heart that hung on a chain around her neck. In the locket there was a picture of Kimiko and Kiyomi, taken right before Kiyomi's death.

"Something new?"

"My garter." Kimiko answered simply, controlling the blush threatening to spread on her face as she gestured towards her leg.

"Something borrowed?"

"My bracelet." she said, holding her wrist up. Aliane was letting her borrow it for the wedding, as the designs on the bracelet complimented the designs on the dress very well.

"Something blue?"

"My earrings. They have sapphire diamonds as well as regular diamonds, and of course, my engagement ring." Kimiko glanced adoringly at her ring, where there was soon to be another ring to join it.

"Then we have everything!" Emeline swept Kimiko into a sudden hug.

"Let the record show that Tohomiko Kimiko is the very first one to get married, although I am hoping we will soon follow..." Lilia sneaked a furtive glance in the direction where the boys were.

"Just not too soon. I'd like to take a break from planning a wedding." Kimiko laughed, her nervousness forgotten. A knock on the door quieted the women.

"Come in." Kimiko called. As the door opened, her father walked in.

"Konnichiwa papa!" Kimiko rushed to hug Toshiro.

"Hello my Kimi-chan. My, what a beautiful bride you make." Toshiro smiled gently at his only child.

"Thank you. So, you ready to walk me down the aisle?" Kimiko teased.

"Honestly, I don't think I could ever be ready to give away my darling daughter, but if it makes you happy, I will do it." Toshiro smiled and reached up to wipe away the tear rolling down Kimiko's cheek.

"I love you papa." Kimiko threw her arms around Toshiro's neck.

"I love you too, Kimi-chan. You will always be my little Hime-san." Toshiro offered her his arm, and together, with the rest of the bridal party, walked out into the twilight.

Raimundo and Kimiko had both agreed to have the ceremony and reception at the temple, considering it had been their home for the past several years. Master Fung had agreed to be the one marrying them, and had actually seemed honored that they had chosen him. Right now, Raimundo was waiting at the altar, both his best men standing beside him.

"Breathe Rai. She'll show up." Clay tried to comfort his friend.

"I know that." Rai looked around nervously, looking for any sign of Kimiko. The boys suddenly heard the song that Kimiko wanted to walk to come on. She didn't want to go for the traditional wedding march, instead choosing a different song. (A/N: Keep in mind that this song is the original piano performance, and not the techno remix)

Oh, thinking about our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now, nothing can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
that's over now
You keep me coming back for more

Luciana and Cassia started the procession as flower girls, giggling madly as they scattered white rose petals down the path.

Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven

Then came Alex as the ring bearer, holding the pillow gingerly, making sure that the rings wouldn't fall.

Oh, once in your life
You find someone, who wil turn your world around
Pick you up when your feeling down
Now, nothing can change what you mean to me
There's a lot that I could say
But just hold me now
'Cause our love will light the way

Next came Emeline, wearing a sapphire blue full-length dress.

Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven

Next Lilia, also wearing the same dress.

I've been waiting for someone
something to arrive
love to come along
Now our dreams are coming true
Through the good times
And the bad
I'll be standing there by you

Finally, everyone stood to welcome the beautiful bride. What Rai saw litterally took his breath away, as well as his anxiety. Kimiko looked positively radiant on the arm of her father. She seemed to float, rather than walk, down the aisle. Her eyes met his and he felt himself fall in love with her for a second time.

Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven

As Kimiko and Toshiro reached the end of the aisle, he kissed the back of her hand before gently placing it in Rai's hands.

"Take good care of my baby girl." Toshiro said, the trust and respect evident when Rai looked into his eyes.

"With my life." Rai swore to both Toshiro and Kimiko. Rai then shifted his attention to Kimiko, who was looking up at him with love and adoration.

Ohh, ohh, ohh
Ohh, ohh, ohh

"We're in heaven." Kimiko sang the last line of the song softly.

As the wedding progressed, Raimundo and Kimiko found themselves remembering very little of what was said, with the exception of their vows, of course. Their attention was riveted solely on the other, and their future life together.

"Kimiko, today I want you to know how lucky I feel for having found the one perfect person for me, the one who suits me so comfortably and who gives me joy and boundless hope and anticipation for the future. Every day we're together, you do nothing but make me happy. The day we met was the day I became truly alive again, and today, I declare my love and devotion for you before the entire world. I make a vow to stand by your side through the best and worst of times, and to give you the best of what I have from now until the end of our days." Rai declared to her.

"Raimundo, today I want you to know how lucky I feel for having found the one perfect person for me, the one who suits me so comfortably and who gives me joy and boundless hope and anticipation for the future. Every day we're together, you do nothing but make me happy. The day we met was the day I became truly alive again, and today I declare my love and devotion for you before the entire world. I make a vow to stand by your side through the best and worst of times, and to give you the best of what I have from now until the end of our days." Kimiko vowed, the tears of joy streaming endlessly down her cheeks.

As Rai is slipping the gold band onto Kimiko's ring, and vice versa, Master Fung continues to speak.

"As a ceaseless reminder of this hour, and of the promise you have made to each other, these rings also speak of the oneness you now experience as husband and wife.

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now you will feel no loneliness, for each of you will be a companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place, to enter the days of your life together.
And may your days be good, and long upon the earth.

Because they have so affirmed, in love and knowledge of the other, so also do I declare that Raimundo Pedrosa and Kimiko Tohomiko are now husband and wife."

For a few seconds, Rai and Kim could only stare at each other, unbelieving to the fact that they were now husband and wife.

"Would you hurry up and kiss her already? I want cake." Clay said good-naturedly, earning a few laughs from the guests.

Kimiko latched her arms around Raimundo and brought his face down so she could mold her lips to his. The audience cheered as their lips connected, sending spark after spark flying.

"I love you so much." Rai breathed dazedly as he and Kimiko broke apart.

"I bet I love you more." Kimiko giggled. As the crowd came up and congratulated them both, Kimiko could only concentrate half her mind on saying thanks, while the other half was repeating the same thing over and over in her mind.

'Kimiko Pedrosa. Kimiko Pedrosa. Kimiko Pedrosa. Kimiko Pedrosa.' everytime it repeated she grew happier and happier until she thought she would explode. Once the congratulations were over and the party had moved into the tent where the reception was to be held, the full moon was high in the sky, illuminating the scene below.

'Just like the night I proposed.' Rai thought as he smiled at Kimiko for what seemed the millionth time. Finally, it was time for their first dance as husband and wife. As he led her to the center of the floor, he realized he would always remember this moment, this moment when he and Kimiko would dance, and it would be just the two of them, together forever.

The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting
Could it be that we have been this way before
I know you don't think that I am trying
I know you're wearing thin down to the core

But hold your breathe
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find

This is not what I intended
I always swore to you I'd never fall apart
You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed but I have loved you from the start

Oh, But hold your breathe
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
It's impossible
So breathe in so deep
Breathe me in
I'm yours to keep
And hold on to your words
Cause talk is cheap
And remember me tonight
When you're asleep

Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find

Tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find

They finished dancing to thunderous applause, huge smiles on both Rai and Kim's faces.

The rest of the night went extremely well, to Kimiko's happiness. The cake was excellent, the bouquet-throwing was very fun (Lilia was the one to catch it, much to her amusement), and the guests all raved on how gorgeous everything was and what a stupendous job Kimiko had done in planning it. Finally, Lilia, Emeline, and Aliane all ushered Kimiko back to the sleeping quarters so she could change into something more comfortable. Rai had refused to tell her where they were going on their honeymoon, claiming it to be a surprise. She changed into a white strapless sundress, a cherry blossom in her hair.

"Can't you give me any hints?" Kimiko pleaded as she slipped into sandals.

"Nope. My lips are sealed." Lilia grinned. Kimiko turned to Aliane and Emeline.

"Sorry my dear. I promised Rai I wouldn't tell." Emeline said, while Aliane smiled apologetically.

"Just know that you'll love it." Lilia assured her.

"I had better." Kimiko grumbled. She walked out to find Rai standing next to the Silver Manta Ray, dressed in a casual button-down shirt and khaki's, his medallion glinting in the moonlight.

"Ready, love?" he asked, taking her hand.

"Yup." she smiled excitedly.

"Have fun!" Lilia and Emeline said simultaneously, Lilia giving Kimiko a sly wink which made her blush madly.


Their flight took about 10 hours, by which time Kimiko had given up on badgering and pestering Rai on where they were going. She had just reclined her seat, closed her eyes, and went to sleep. The next thing she knew, she was being scooped up and carried bridal style out of the Manta Ray.

"We're here?" Kimiko said sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

"Yep. Welcome to Tahiti." Rai grinned at the sudden excitement in Kimiko's face.

"Tahiti?! Really?! Ohmygosh, this is so great!" Kimiko gushed, looking around her in excitement. Rai had chosen to land on the beach facing the Pacific Ocean. The water was so blue that the color could rival Kimiko's eyes. When she turned her head and looked around Rai, Kimiko could see a bungalow sitting on the edge of the ocean, not too big but not too small. It was just...

"Perfect." Kimiko whispered, unable to believe her eyes. As they planned on staying on the island for about 2 months, they had packed a lot of bags, but Rai had had the common sense to shrink everything using the Changing Chopsticks. Now everything, including the Silver Manta Ray, was currently nestled in a small leather bag.

Rai then turned around and started walking towards the bungalow, his heart starting to race as the implications of what he and his new wife were about to do fully hit him. Kimiko, meanwhile, was having a bit of trouble taking a deep breath.

'Relax Kimiko, it'll be fine. He is my husband, and I am his wife now. This is perfectly normal. Even though we haven't had any actual....practice, things will go smoothly.' Kimiko thought frantically, trying to reassure herself and failing miserably. Neither noticed that the other was deathly quiet, too wrapped up in their own thoughts to notice. Rai crossed the threshold with Kimiko in his arms and started walking to the end of the hall, where the bedroom was. Once they actually reached the bedroom, their eyes widened at the simple beauty of it.

The most dominant feature was the huge bed in the center of the room, white and blue silky sheets covering it. To the right side of said bed were the bathroom and closet, both spacious. To the left was a set of glass doors which led to a wooden balcony with a breathtaking view of the ocean. Neither of them noticed however, as their eyes were riveted on each other.

"Hi." Kimiko broke the silence, smiling nervously.

"Hey yourself." Rai chuckled. He managed to get his frozen feet moving again, in the direction of the bed, where he gently laid her down, her black hair fanning out on the pillow. He laid down next to her and just propped himself up on one arm, staring at her. Kimiko finally managed to take that deep breath and shifted so that she was laying on her side, staring back at him.

Slowly, she reached out and pulled him closer to her, their bodies pressed against each other.

"Do you trust me?" he whispered.

"With my life." she whispered back.

"Are you willing to give your body and mind to me, just as I will give my body and mind to you?" he asked, running his hand slowly up and down her side from her hip to her chest.

"Yes." she said as she finally gathered enough courage to bring her lips up to meet his, and from then on there was no talking, just the joining of two bodies into one.


Me: Holy Jesus, finally finished. I expect raving reviews for this chapter, i worked my butt off to make it perfect. That last scene was especially hard to write, mainly because i was so afraid i was gonna botch it somehow. So like i said above, the pictures for Kimiko's wedding gown and Lilia and Emeline's bridesmaid dresses will be posted up on my profile. Hope you like it and PLEASE review!!