Notes from a Muddy Writer:

This chapter was kind of hard because of the descriptions. T.T I know that at times, descriptions of the dresses do not necessarily have to be precise but I can't help it. I want to be accurate. At least, I think I want to be.

I was smiling like crazy pretty much the whole time. XD I searched for their marriage vows and I am not sure whether it sounds okay enough. (I hope it does!)

I also used the Japanese song "Every Heart" by BoA. Lyrics are italicized. It's quite sad but I think the translation fits them enough. I think. ;) Listen to it for maximum emotional experience! LOL.

Please take note that Ryoma and Sakuno did not spoke their vows simultaneously. I thought it would be quite lengthy if I separate it so I made the format as such.

And because of the ending of the last chapter, I had difficulty inserting the result of their matches and other stuff. –epic fail- Now, if I could just find a way to…

Lastly, I am not sure whether Rinko use the word 'dear' a lot. She seemed like the kind of lady who would. LOL~

Anyway, here's the fifth chapter. Please, enjoy yourselves~

P.S. Really sorry for like publishing this supeeeeer late! I felt really stuck on Kintarou's scene that even with the many days of scourging for ideas did not leave me with good ones. I did plan for something though, which will be published in the upcoming chapters!


ღღღ

I Do

ღღღ

Marriage does not unite two people; it entangles them.

-Abraham Miller, Unmoral Maxims

ღღღ

'You may now read the tale.'

ღღღ

Beep… beep… beep…

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Beep… beep… beep…

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Harmonious chaos was filling the air. His phone had beeped at least one hundred times. Same with his alarm clock. Don't forget his telephone too. They were allbegging him to wake up.

"Just… a few more minutes," Ryoma breathed out with irritation. Why did everything around him want to wake him up so early?

"Koshimae! It was fun playing with you!" A certain red-head called out to him once they were done playing a tennis match.

"Che." Ryoma was wiping away his sweat. The result of the match was a bit surprising; the match had been even. No one lost, no one won. Their scores were down to a 15-all and it continued to be like until they dropped dead on the tennis court because of exhaustion. This irritated Ryoma a lot. How could someone rival him? He was the Prince of Tennis?

"Kintarou—kun!" Ryoma heard Sakuno called out, adding to his irritation. Why wasn't he attended to first? He and Sakuno were engaged after all.

Ryoma sat up on the dirty tennis court, looking at the scene unfolding before hm. He raised an eyebrow at them. However Kintarou was oblivious to this which caused the prince to emit a deathly aura.

Beep… beep… beep…

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Beep… beep… beep…

Ring! Ring! Ring!

The jerk (a.k.a. Kintarou) was all touchy-touchy with Sakuno and this did not sit well with Ryoma at all.

While all of this was happening Ryoma was gripping his red tennis racket, hard.

'Dammit. The jerk's really asking for it.'

With a racket on his right hand and a tennis ball on the other, Ryoma stood up and bounced the ball on the court's surface a few times before throwing it up in the air.

He was about to burst at the scene of Kintarou and Sakuno with his airborne tennis ball, he heard the red-haired say his farewells to Sakuno. Ryoma glanced at them, just in time to see a more-than-a-second bear hug, courtesy of Kintarou.

Filled with rage, Ryoma looked up to see the ball in air, only to have it landing on his face.

"I-Itai…"

That was it. He was never going to forgive Kintarou for this.

Beep… beep… beep…

Koshimae!

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Koshimae!

Beep… beep… beep…

Koshimae!

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Every beep of the telephone, alarm clock and cell phone seemed like Kintarou's irritating voice to Ryoma. What more: they continued on until it drove him crazy at last.

Ryoma first turned his alarm clock off. As he did, his half-closed eyes stared at the time. It really did not made any sense to him.

"Eleven o'clock… eleven o'clock," he muttered as he went to answer the telephone next. Ryoma was still sluggish. A few steps away from the phone, it dawned on him. He scrambled to the bathroom at once.

"Dammit!"

ღღღ

"Oi Nanjirou!" It was Sumire's gruff voice.

"Hn?"

"Are you sure you told him the exact time?"

"Of course I did." Nanjirou, in his black suit (looking spiffy and all), paced back and forth in front of the old woman. "Ten o'clock!"

"Well, it's already eleven, in case you hadn't noticed." Sumire sighed at his grandson-in-law's tardiness. "Next we'll hear about how he helped a pregnant woman go to the hospital."

Nanjirou snickered.

"Obaa-chan…" Both adults turned to look at the bride. Sakuno was glowing. At least, they thought she was glowing. She wore a dress that was shimmering silver. It ended right below her knees. It was made of chiffon and tulle. To top it off, Sakuno paired it with a black double breasted cropped jacket. Her long brown hair was in a 'messy' side bun. Her make-up was light and it perfectly accentuated everything.

But something was wrong. Definitely wrong.

"Is he… coming yet?"

Sumire momentarily glanced at Nanjirou who chose to look innocently at the sides. "Don't look at me like that. I called him many times already. Rinko is out, trying to reach him," He whispered back at Sumire.

She returned her gaze back at her lovely granddaughter. Her eyes softened.

"Yes, yes. He is coming. Soon." It wasn't reassuring enough. Tears still welled up on Sakuno's eyes.

"I'll be waiting then." She spun on her heels and sat on the nearest chair.

ღღღ

His car gave another loud beep as his fists were driven into the horn. There was no traffic. No, there was none. It was the complete opposite in fact. Ryoma was just doing it out of frustration.

"Why did it have to be today?" He asked himself as he drove towards the place of their civil wedding.

Ryoma had already sent Rinko a message that said "I helped a pregnant woman get to the hospital." His typical excuse.

"What else's new?" He shrugged.

Ryoma's car stopped in front of a fairly huge building. He opened the driver's side of the door and stepped out into the warm day. Dust billowed as hot air blew around. He coughed.

Ryoma checked himself to see if he looked ready enough. It was a mistake. He did not, in any way or form, looked ready. Nor anywhere near it. He suppressed another curse as he jogged towards the building.

ღღღ

'Where could he be?' Sakuno thought for the umpteenth time. She tapped her right foot repeatedly. She did not want to look as if her groom left her, whether it was for another woman or for tennis. She did not really want it.

The loud groaning of the door was the next thing she heard. Sakuno spun her head and a few stray hairs fell. Standing against the frame of the door was her handsome groom. He was panting from all the running he must have done to reach the place.

She did not really understand what she was feeling at the moment. Happy? Nah. Angry? Not even close. So what was it?

Sakuno might not have the proper term for it at that time, yet one thing was certain. She wanted to get married right then and there. For her, Ryoma looked okay enough. He looked… scrumptious enough. She closed her eyes as thoughts drowned her.

'What am I thinking!' She berated herself.

'There's more time for that later this evening.' The voice in her mind spoke again and she shivered unconsciously.

"Evening…" she exhaled as she returned her gaze back to her lap. Her eyes widened. "Evening!" Sakuno exclaimed. That new thought filled her with dread.

ღღღ

"Oh my gosh Ryoma! You are so late!" His lovely mother scolded.

"Hn, Seishounen—"

"Could I just change my clothes?!"

"Right~ this way dear."

ღღღ

Nanjirou approached the bride and her grandma. His gaze softened at the sight of them. The 'monk' sighed as he neared them.

He also prepared a really bad poker face as he tried to explain what happened with Ryoma.

"I'm so—"Nanjirou started only to be cut off. Then drops of sweat formed on his forehead as he was met with the old woman's glare.

"Is the wedding cancelled?" Sumire asked in a stern tone.

"No. It isn't. Just you wait."

She sighed, visibly relieved.

"Sakuno-chan! Come now. Everything is set." Rinko happily bounded towards them.

The bride stood and slowly faced them. "R-really?"

"Un!"

ღღღ

Ryoma stood on the right side as he faced the solemnizing judge. He resisted the urge to scratch the places where it was itching. But it was really driving him crazy!

Without warning, a bittersweet melody filled the air. It awakened the feelings inside of him except, he did not understand what to feel. Was he supposed to be sad over this marriage? He especially did not want to.

He was certain though that the song was melancholic in a sense.

Ikutsu namida wo nagashitara…

'How many tears must be shed? What the—'

Every Heart, sunao ni nareru darou…

'Before we can become honest?'

Ryoma wondered too. Was Sakuno sending some kind of message through this song? He chuckled lightly.

Dare ni omoi wo tsutaetara…

To whom must we proclaim our feelings?

Disregarding the many messages and interpretations of the song, he turned his head to see his forthcoming wife. He caught his breath. Ryoma almost rubbed his eyes that he summoned every will he had left not to. She seriously was glowing. She looked simple but… stunning. Every step had a bounce to it as if Sakuno was anticipating this very moment.

Every Heart kokoro mitasareru no darou

So that we can no longer feel loneliness?

Five feet….

Three feet…

One…

Then, he felt her covered arm brushed against his. Sakuno shuddered beside him like she was electrified to be near him.

'But enough about that.' He thought.

Right now, there's a wedding to attend to.

ღღღ

Sakuno was elated. She felt as if she was riding on Cloud Nine. 'Is this really happening? Is this really happening!' She continually asked herself every step of the aisle. Her grip tightened around her cascading bouquet of jasmines and orchids.

When the music had started playing, she almost forgot to move. She felt stuck. Big time.

'Two feet more… one…' she caught her breath at the last one. Their arms came into contact and electricity ran up and down her body.

Sakuno drew a deep breath to steady herself down. She was hyperventilating. The bride almost smiled at the thought. Almost.

ღღღ

"… Ryoma and Sakuno wish to pledge their vows to each other before us today."

The couple faced each other with unreadable expression written upon their faces. As the exchange of vows continued on, however, both relaxed and felt at ease with each other's presence.

"I…"

"I…"

"Ryoma…"

"Sakuno…"

"Take you, Sakuno…"

"Take you, Ryoma…"

"To be my wife…"

"To be my husband…"

"My constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward."

"In the presence of our God and family, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner."

"In sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow."

"I promise to love you unconditionally…"

"To support you in your goals…"

"To honor and respect you…"

"To laugh with you and cry with you…"

"And to cherish you… for as long as we both shall live."

ღღღ

She wanted to believe it. She almost wanted to believe it. That everything was real, that this could last forever. But she knew it wouldn't. It can't, so it shan't. They were forced and so they must act. Ryoma wasn't the only actor here. Sakuno was too. And so, she'll play her part best. No regrets, no heartaches. She promised herself not to get carried away, no matter how convincing the act was. But perhaps she would just settle with this fantasy and cherish it while it lasted.

ღღღ

"Sakuno, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you always that you are surrounded by my enduring love."

"I…" Sakuno restrained herself. It was too much. Happiness was filling her inside. She glanced around, only to see her grandmother's and in-laws' encouraging smiles. Sakuno faced Ryoma once and drew a deep breath before she continued. "I will wear it gladly. Whenever I look at it, I will remember this joyous day and the vows we've made."

'This is all fake… fake… fake…' It played on her mind like a sad melody that she almost wanted to cry.

ღღღ

Ryoma stared at the silver ring that now rested upon his left ring finger. It was simple. No outer design whatsoever. Literally, just a simple silver ring.

"Che," he muttered under his breath.

'Seriously, these are our wedding rings?'

To him, it looked so ordinary.

'What's so special about these?' He wanted to scream at his parents who bought the rings.

ღღღ

They were declared as husband and wife and had signed their marriage contract.

"There's a good boy!" Nanjirou said as he clapped Ryoma on the back hard. His mother was a bit teary-eyed.

"Can't believe you're now a grown man dear!" She said as she hugged Ryoma tightly.

"Mom… can't…breathe…" Ryoma gasped.

"Oopss."

"Grandma, I'll be fine. Really," Sakuno insisted as she embraced Sumire. The older woman said nothing in reply but her eyes conveyed the words she wanted to say. She nodded as if that would suffice.

Sakuno smiled gratefully at her.

ღღღ

Night came fast. If only she could delay its coming, Sakuno would have. Alas, she couldn't. Her heart pounded against her rib cage as she waited inside her bedroom.

'Correction: our bedroom.'

She was in her pajamas because she really did not know what else to wear. Sakuno bit her lip in a futile attempt to think clearly.

'What should I do if he comes closer?' She asked herself.

'Kick him on the crotch most probably,' replied the small voice in her mind.

She shook her head. "No way!" Sakuno knew within her that that was just plain rude.

There was a creak behind Sakuno and suddenly, a heavy body was on top of her.

Sakuno screamed.


Replies:

Now on to the replies for my patient reviewers~:

Guest- W-wow... I don't even know what to say! Hehehehe.. anyway, the love that I'm receiving right now is more than enough for me. Really. :D I'm so sorry for updating very very late. Feel free to virtually bonk me in the head. :D

rhaeven Sy- Gosh! I'm so sorry for like keeping you wait for another one of my updates~! Gomen! I just hope I write/think/type chapters faster for you~ Thank you very much for leaving a review! Please wait for the next update!

yukina-chan15- Yukina-chaaaaaaan! Long time no see! Hehehe... I'm very satisfied that Sakuno really seems like an interior designer! Hahahaha... and a jealous Ryoma is just the best~ Thank you for being patient with me! :)

Ryosaku12- weeeeeeeee! As I have said, a jealous Ryoma is just cuteeeee! Hahahaha... so sorry if it took me a long while to update. :D

DearestELFriend- DearestElfFriend, it's really okay! Whether it's the first or last, I really don't mind~ :3 As long as you were able to review. 3 Anyway, I'm delighted that you find the story interesting so far~ I hope that I keep up to you expectations though. M.F.E.O. Hahahaha... IKR, they're so eager. I wonder if they're going to get what they're wishing. XD And yipeeeee! Someone finds that proposal quite different. Thank you very much for taking time to review my story and thank you for being patient. :D

.129- And I have updated! Yay~ And I don't think it's going to have 'cheating' of any sorts (I sure hope so). Well, you never know. I, myself, do not know how it will turn out. Hehehe, kidding. :D

ulquihime7980- ulquihime! Sorry for the late update but I hope that it was worth the wait. ;)

guestof9302012- No, no, no. I should be thanking you for reviewing my story~! The third party! a.k.a. Kintarou-kun. Wait till Kirihaya arrives, that is if he is going to since I'm having doubts now. Anyway, we'll see soon.

0202- 5 words: I've update now, haven't I? I hope it was worth it. :D

And since this section is getting soooooo long, I just want to mention this quickly. Thank you everybody for being patient with me and for your continuous support by reading Legally Married. Thank you also to those who added this story to their Favorite/Alert List. :D

Notes from a Muddy Writer:

Okay, I may have been giving Sakuno too much credit but hey! She could be pretty if she wants too. :D I swear she is pretty in the manga.

Kintarou *chibi*: I am here to present you a fact used by Muddy Writer!

Akaya *chibi*: Chotto! I'll be the—

Muddy Writer: What is this all about?

Kintarou & Akaya: We're presenting them a wedding fact!

*Kintarou clears throat*

Kintarou: Did you know?

*Akaya butts in*

Akaya: That in many cultures

Ryoma: The groom historically often kidnapped the bride— *evil glint* Muddy Writer in the background: Where the heck did you came from?!

*Kintarou butts*

Kintarou: And the groom's friends would help him

*Akaya again*

Akaya: Leading to the modern-day groomsmen.

Ryoma: At the altar

Kintarou: The groom always stood on the bride's right side

Akaya: So his right hand

Kintarou: Or 'sword hand'

Ryoma: Would be free to fight/defend off a jealous rival.

Muddy Writer: Way to go. Anyway, Ryoma, who are your rivals now? *teases him*

Ryoma: Shu—

Muddy Writer: Time for Kintarou and Akaya to present the preview!

Akaya and Kintarou: Minna, here's the preview for chapter six!

Preview for Chapter 6:

ღღღ

Our Place

ღღღ

"It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages."
― Friedrich Nietzsche

ღღღ