Sorry for taking so long. Work has been busy. Enjoy.
On the day of the wedding, the four troopers and Jun were trying to ease Seiji's nervousness. The warrior of light was trying everything to calm himself down, but nothing was working. Touma tried horrible jokes. Ryo tried to get him to think about something else. Shu and Shin were constantly back and forth from the kitchen getting tea or drinking it themselves. Although he really wanted the tea, Seiji was ignoring it. Jun kept telling him that he would not want a full bladder during the ceremony. Not to his Grandfather's liking, he and Nasuti decided on a western marriage ceremony. It was to make up for Nasuti's parents flying in from France.
"How does it look?" Seiji asked his friends.
"You look like you're getting some tonight." Touma said.
Shaking his head, Shin walked forward, "Your tie's wrong."
"Ugh, that was the fifth time trying to fix it." Seiji growled.
"I'll do it." Shin said.
"I'll go check on Nasuti." Ryo said, trying to contain his laughter. Jun also tagged along.
"You should have just skipped the ceremony and done the reception. You two are technically married already." Shu said with a full stomach.
"And you just want the food." Seiji shot back, "Besides, my family would have kicked me out if I didn't. Does it look better?"
Shin laughed, "You look fine. Nasuti was going to keep you anyways."
"I know." Seiji sighed, looking at a laughing Touma, "Just you wait. You and Carla are next."
"Maybe in a few years." Touma smiled, "We both have degrees to finish. I bet Shu's next."
"I don't even have a girl yet."
"You and me both, brother." Shin joked.
"Pound it." Shu said, offering his fist, which Shin gladly hit.
"You ready Seiji?" the warrior's father asked, coming in the room.
"He's ready." Touma grinned.
Following his father, Seiji left a bird behind him, which made Touma laugh harder.
Shin and Shu met Jun, who was already seated.
"Is he still nervous?" the younger boy asked.
"Shaking like an earthquake." Shu responded.
"I don't think I've seen him this nervous before." Shin spoke softly.
Four people sat next to them. As Shin made a glance to see who they were, he got a wave and smile from Kayura. The other three Masho were also there, dressed in the proper wear.
"Whoa, it's weird seeing all of you not in armor." Shu said.
"If you would like a reminder, we can gladly put them on afterwards." Rajura smiled.
"We're here because we were invited." Naaza said.
"Awkward." Shu whispered to Shin.
"Besides, Suiko still owes me for jumping into the cold waters of the Antarctic. I would prefer it before you went off to fight someone else's war." Anubis grinned.
"You know?" Shin asked.
"Of course we do. Kayura keeps tabs on all of you." Naaza smirked.
Shu and Shin gave each other a look.
"It is not like that, you idiots." Kayura frowned, "Although there is one thing I must ask you Shin."
"What is it?"
"What are you planning to do with Suiko?" the woman asked.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Are you planning on keeping the armor here or taking it with you?"
Shin felt all the eyes from the row on him, "I haven't thought about it."
"You have to make a decision soon." Kayura spoke softly, "If you are killing there in Africa, it would not do us good if Suiko falls into the wrong hands. Something is stirring in the Demon Realm. We do not know anything yet, but Naaza has brought it to my attention. We need to know that Suiko can be safe."
Shin held his head in his hands, "I don't have anyone in my family that can take the armor."
"I can take it." The younger boy said, "I mean, I can hold on to it until you come back."
"That's a big responsibility." Shu said, unsure of Jun's thoughts.
"I'm as old as you all were when Arago came, and I know the basics with a bo staff. You could teach me Shu."
"It's not your age or skill." Shin spoke, "It's whether or not Suiko, itself will accept you."
Sitting up, Shin put a hand on the boy's shoulder, "We'll talk about it later. This isn't the time to talk about this."
"Yeah, we can talk about fighting monsters later." Shu yawned, "I just want to get to the food."
Shin and Jun laughed.
The room became silent as the ceremony began. All of the family members watched as Seiji walked in first. After escorting the bride's maids, Touma and Ryo stood next to the blonde. Touma spoke something in to Seiji's ear, causing him to let out a nervous laugh.
When the doors in the back reopened, everyone stood. The bride and her father started to walk toward the front. Glancing at the groom, Shin saw Seiji's smile.
"Now I'm glad we didn't just go to the reception," Shu leaned back towards the red head, "I get one last chance to think Nasuti's pretty without Seiji hitting me."
Shin put a hand on Shu's shoulder, "Me too, Shu."
"Me three." They heard Jun which made them hold their laughter.
It was not long before everyone was congratulating the couple outside. The trio sitting in the crowd had hollered as the couple made their 'first' kiss being married.
"I expected you and Shin to make a lot of noises, but not Jun." Nasuti told Shu.
"He's got to learn how to be loud and rowdy somehow." Shu came back.
"Well, let's get a picture of all of us before you all rush off to the reception." Seiji said.
Quickly, the troopers, Masho and Jun gathered around the newly married couple. There was a mixture of seriousness and goofy smiles.
Minutes later, Shu and Shin both found themselves deep into their second drink. The reception was in a private garden. There was a pond in the center, glowing with candles.
"There's Yayoi and her boyfriend." Shu spat out with disgust. The couple was eating at the newlyweds table.
"Yeah." Shin mumbled.
"You should ask her to dance."
"I'm not trying to cause a scene, Shu."
"I never said that you were. Just go ask her for a simple dance."
Shin took another sip of his beer like he was ignoring his friend.
"Fine, I'll go ask her." Shu said, slamming his bottle down.
Shin growled as Shu left. The warrior of rock was doing that on purpose. Ryo must have taken noticed, because he and Jun walked over.
"Is he asking Yayoi to dance with him?"
"Yes." Shin growled through his teeth, "He thinks he's funny."
The trio continued to watch Shu make an ass out of himself. They could tell that the woman was rolling her eyes, as Shu tried to convince her that he was a great dance partner. The sad part of it though, Shin thought, was that she finally agreed. And it was to a slow song. The warrior of rock purposely brought her in close, making Shin jealous. Ikuko was besides the bar, grabbing drinks as he was waiting for them to finish their dance.
"Have you thought about Suiko?" Jun finally spoke.
"Not a lot." Shin said, surprised that he brought it up again so soon, "I have a few errands to run tomorrow, but we can work on some fighting techniques after."
"So you're finally giving Suiko up?" Ryo asked.
"Only until I come back."
"It's just so his armor doesn't fall into someone else's hands." Jun defended the warrior of water.
"Shin," Ryo said, "I thought you accepted that you were going to have the armor…"
"No," Shin interrupted, "Don't lecture me Ryo. I know what I decided on and I know the armors and the Agency don't match well together. I just want to enjoy this one night before I have to leave Suiko behind."
Sighing, Shin stood, "We've all had doubts about the armor. Some of us just let it linger longer."
Rekka smiled, "At least you picked someone who wouldn't abuse it."
"You know me Ryo. I wouldn't do anything wrong with Suiko." Jun added.
"I know. I trust you, Jun."
After hearing the song end, Shin finished his drink. Seeing Shu show off, made him want to prove himself more.
"Yayoi," Shin offered his hand, "Would you like to dance the next song?"
Yayoi glanced over to her boyfriend still at the bar talking, "I'd like to take a break. Sorry. Maybe later?"
Nodding his head, Shin left with a sad smile. As he was making his way towards the bar to get another drink, he felt someone grab his hand. Turning, he was surprised to see Nasuti.
"Come Shin," she said, "Let's dance. Seiji's been stolen for a bit."
Smiling, Shin accepted. He followed her, as he saw Seiji and Touma. Touma had a devilish look on his face.
"Seiji looks like he's in trouble." Shin laughed.
"Yes. I think Touma's plan tonight is to make him really drunk." Nasuti laughed back, "I hope you know how to dance to jazz."
"Nasuti my dear," Shin recomposed himself as an older jazz piece came on, "Let's just hope I can hold on to you and the beer in me."
As the song went along, Nasuti spoke again, "Have you been feeling alright?"
"Of course. I'm dancing with a pretty woman."
"No silly, just life in general."
"Oh." Shin laughed, "I'll be fine. It's just life taking me to foreign places. I'm more worried about my mother."
Nasuti gave him a look, "Alright. I'm just making sure you're fine. You've been down lately. I heard that the Agency gave you a hard time."
"Oh, but of course! Already I have achieved a post of honor and have been left to defend the fort."
Nasuti gave him another look, "Are you quoting Pepe le Pew?"
"Yes. One cannot help himself in front of a beautiful woman." Shin tried to hold his composure, but soon found himself laughing.
"L'homme idiot."
"Non, rien que pour vous chers." Shin mumbled.
"You can speak French?"
"Only a bit. At one time I thought I was going to go to France to become a chef. My mother was trying to teach me what she knew. Then I found out that I was going to be a samurai, and quit the lessons."
"Shin, you charmer," Nasuti smiled, "Yayoi's a fool to not wanting you."
"That's what I've been told."
Ending their dance, Nasuti gave him a quick hug, "Be safe ok?"
Planting a soft kiss on her hand, Shin gave her a sad smile, "I'll try. Take care of Seiji. He'll need someone with a calm mind around his grandfather and Touma partying in America."
"Don't I know."
As they parted, Shin headed back to the bar. He had another beer in his hand as he turned into someone. The other person had red wine that spilled onto his white uniform. It was Ikuko.
"Sorry, I didn't see you." The doctor said.
"Yeah, I shouldn't have turned so quickly." Shin said, angry that his uniform was stained.
The doctor took the rest of his drink and spilled it on the warrior.
"Stay away from her, by the way. After you embarrassed her, her coworkers didn't treat her the same. She might have to move to Tokyo with me." He smirked.
Holding back, Shin just stood there.
"But then again, a sailor like you wouldn't know how to speak to a woman greater than your stature. Don't you all rape and pillage?"
"I'm in the Maritime Agency, and no, we don't rape and pillage." Shin said.
"Sure. Mori is it?" the man grabbed another glass to drink from, "I heard that you disgraced your family name by running away."
"Can I head to the wash room to clean the mess you made on me?"
"No sailor, because I like seeing those less privileged in a complete mess. Makes me feel better about my job. Have you ever saved a life Mori?"
"Plenty of times. And that's with a high school degree." Shin said harsher than he would have liked it.
The doctor grabbed his shirt, "Listen boy, you're dirt. What kind of school would take you? You better head to Somalia, because that's where you belong. You and your idiot friends."
Seeing the argument, Shu shook his head, "Big mistake there. He grabbed Shin's shirt."
Ryo and Touma stood behind Shu.
"Should we help him?" Ryo asked.
"Nah Shin needs to hit the guy. I predict a left hook to the man's face." Touma said with a smile.
"Left hook then a jab from his right." Shu added.
Ryo was confused, "Are you two making a bet?"
"No, we just know." Touma said, remembering a similar punch from Shin years ago.
Sure enough, Ikuko felt his face jerk back from a left hook from Shin, only to be tugged back by the collar and hit with a right.
"Knew it." Shu smiled, before going to interfere.
The wedding party's attention went from dancing to the fight going on. Seiji sighed, as he cracked his knuckles. He was going to regret his next action. Ikuko had knocked Shin onto a table when he saw Seiji's fist.
"Get out!" the blonde said and the doctor obliged.
Seiji then turned to his fellow warrior, grabbed him by the collar and hit him as well.
"You too, unless you want to be arrested again."
Shin nodded rubbing his face and left.
"Harsh." Touma said.
"Not as harsh as the police would have been." Seiji said, "My father wanted to hit them both."
Taking the stained shirt off, Shin used it to wipe the wine and blood from his face. Happy that his mother couldn't see him in his rare state, Shin sat on a bench to recollect himself. He was sure that Ikuko made a scene like that on purpose, though he thought, it was funny to see the man run after Seiji scared him.
"Shin?" he heard Yayoi call from behind him.
He tried to ignore her, as she walked up and sat next to him.
"Shin?" she said softer than before.
"I'm surprised you didn't follow the doctor with a degree." Shin rudely interrupted her.
"He took off running."
Shin snorted, "So you came to take pity on me?"
"No."
"Yayoi, I don't feel like fighting. But that's all I've been doing for a long time." He said, "I fought instead of swimming along."
She didn't know if he was talking about the armors or something else. So she let him ramble on.
"I don't know who I am anymore." He said before putting his head in his hands.
They both sat in silence before Shin stood up. He held his hand out. The armor orb was in his hand.
"Can you give this to Jun? He said that he was going to take it." He spoke softly.
"Shin, are you…" she was interrupted.
"Just take it." He said before turning away.
Yayoi stood, "Shin?"
"Screw it, I'm not going to fight it anymore." He said, turning back.
His bruised lips crashed onto hers. She was too surprised to fight back.
"Please don't move to Tokyo with him. I can get a degree and even though I don't have it, I can get us a big house too. I know pottery isn't your thing, but my sister can take care of it. I'll move here in Sendai. I'll even take the Data name and learn how to fight with a sword." Shin said, holding her tight, "I'll do anything. Just wait for me this time. Please."
"Shin." She let out.
Letting go, Shin hung his head, "I should go."
"Shin." Yayoi decided to speak her mind, "I'm not moving to Tokyo. And what you said in the hospital weeks ago, you were correct. I should be sorry. I should have listened to my heart better. Now, let's get you home."
She waited for Shin to take her hand before calling a taxi.