Of Angels and Vampires

Chapter 13

The Wedding of Yukinari and Hanako

By Fallon

Yukinari's Palace
One month later…

Japanese Vampires piled into the palace of the main hall as they were awaiting of the wedding ceremony of Lord Okido Yukinari and Hanako, formerly of Gaia.

"Have you noticed how Lord Yukinari has changed since he met the mortal Hanako?" one Vampire asked another.

"Yes, maybe it's for the better that we live at peace with the Angels. Besides, we were almost at the brink of extinction!" the other said.

"What do you think Lord Yukinari is going to do with Lady Hanako?" asked a third Vampire.

"She can't stay mortal forever. He's going to have to turn her into a Vampire sooner or later," the first Vampire replied.

"We'll see after they get back from their honeymoon," the second Vampire said.

Leiko and Suzumi watched Hanako get ready for the wedding ceremony. Asashi zipped around Hanako, putting on her lavender-colored kimono and tying it with a yellow obi. She slipped on her purple robe scattered with flowers with the colors of red, white and pink. Hanako sat down and Asashi put two ornament sticks in her hair, letting her bangs dangle over her face.

After Asashi was done, she showed Hanako the full-length mirror and bowed. "You look beautiful, my lady," Asashi said.

"Tsukasa better eat his heart out," Leiko said, smiling.

"Be nice, Leiko. I feel bad for the guy," Suzumi said.

"Well, it's his loss for not making a move on you," Leiko said, looking at Hanako.

"It's too late for that. Besides, why are we even talking about him on a day like this?" Hanako said. Leiko and Suzumi looked at each other.

"Anyway, what do you think?" Hanako asked.

Leiko beamed. "You look absolutely beautiful!"

"Father will be so pleased," Suzumi said.

"I'm getting married for a third time…" Yukinari said.

"Is that a bad thing, my lord?" Shurii asked.

"No, it's like they always say, 'third time's a charm.'" Yukinari chuckled as he tied his sword hilt to his side. He wore his traditional Japanese robes of dark purple and black, matching Hanako's kimono.

"What about you and Leiko? When are you two going to get married?"

"Ah, I don't think we're ready for that yet. Maybe in a few years."

Yukinari sighed. "Well, can I ask the question?"

"What question is that—oh, that." Shurii blushed. "We haven't done that either, maybe in a few days."

"Well, you two have a lot of catching up to do," Yukinari said, smiling.

"Yes, but Leiko has been busy with the Gaian Council. They're looking for a new General to replace Hanako," Shurii said.

"Have they had any luck?"

"Not that I know of, my lord."

Yukinari turned and looked at Shurii. "Well, I think I'm ready."

"Are you ready to see your bride?" Shurii asked, smiling and opening the door to the main hall.

"Yes, I've been dying to see her since last night."

Yukinari stood up front as he waited for his bride to appear. A bell signaled the audience to rise with a loud clang clang clang.

Hanako gracefully glided down the aisle. She heard murmurs of small talk and complements on how she looked. Her face turned a light pink as she walked to take her place next to Yukinari. He towered over her as she looked up at his face and smiled.

Their wedding was a mix of Western and Shinto style ceremonies. The Shinto priest purified the couple and then prayed for them. "Let the Gods bless this couple with longevity in their love and lives as they commit to one another," he said as he cracked a rock fire around them.

Then Yukinari and Hanako sat across from each other, drinking nine cups of sake to unite not only themselves, but also to unite Hanako with Yukinari and the Japanese Vampires. Hanako had no family of her own to attend the wedding, but she would now become a new member of.

Hanako and Yukinari's faces turned light pink after drinking the sake. Soon it was time for Yukinari to say his vow.

He smiled as he took her hands in his. "Hanako, as your husband, I promise to protect, honor and love you for all the days of my life. It is with great joy that I take you as my wife. May the Gods bless us as we unite as one." Hanako's eyes were misted with tears as she smiled at him.

The Shinto priest took their hands in his and said, "It is with great pleasure that I present to you Lord and Lady Okido!"

The audience rose from their seats and clapped and cheered as Yukinari and Hanako were about to kiss.

Suddenly there was a loud BOOM! The couple and the crowd looked through a haze of smoke to see that the doors had been blown apart by a bomb.

A man with long brown hair stood in the broken doorway, flanked by two other Vampires. He looked around and grinned at the interruption of the ceremony. "We're here to crash the party."

TO BE CONTINUED!

Author's Note: I would like to thank my dear friend Latonya for reading my story and being my grammar/beta reader. Without you, I wouldn't have never gotten this story done! Thank you. :)