Thanks dear reader for taking the time to open this regardless of my crappy summary. This story has been rattling around in my head for years and now is when I'm deciding to upload. Hopefully you guys enjoy it, let me know with a review! Thanks! :)

THE WEDDING

Soleil Lux Stryker had always lived an incredibly privileged life, the kind of life that people could only dream about. Luxurious vacations to exotic places, fast cars whose names most people mispronounced, private aeroplanes, and mega mansions that she called home. She was immensely lucky to be born into the kind of wealth she had been born into, and for that she would always be eternally grateful.

But as usual money and power came with unforeseen consequences that sometimes nearly ruined the entire thing, her life was constantly being reported by the press, hardly any privacy anywhere she went, people who disliked her simply because of her wealth and affluence, and worst of all her family.

Being a Stryker was the absolute bane of Soleil's existence. Her father's constant string of affairs and the hush money they had to consistently shell out because of them. Her mother's ruthlessness and coldness even towards her own children. That and the self-medicating with alcohol as she tended to do. The competitiveness between her and her siblings, added with their mother always pitting them against each other.

Life in the Stryker household was not a very good one, it was more of a continuous state of dramatics and envy. It was probably one of the reasons Soleil enjoyed traveling so much. At least when she traveled she could get the hell away from the people she was forced to call family.

And even though she spent most of her time frequenting other countries avoiding the hell out of the people she was related to, somehow her mother still managed to destroy her life.

She had returned from vacationing in the Maldives, after a much needed reprieve from her mother specifically, Soleil came back to the announcement that she was to get married within the month. And she was to be married off to none other than Seto Kaiba, youngest CEO ever -or something, and multi-billionaire that ran a high end tech company that specialized in the Duel Monsters card games. A man she had only seen once in passing at a charity event she had attended with her father, nearly six months prior.

Apparently there had been some sort of marriage contract drawn up years ago between Charles Stryker and the now deceased Gozaburo Kaiba, as a way to merge their two companies. Apparently Seto Kaiba seemed insistant in fulfilling this agreement, for whatever reason, regardless of the fact that Gozaburo was now long dead. Still the contract had been intended for the Kaiba heir to marry Charles's first daughter, Nova, not Soleil.

But for whatever reason Kaiba had passed on Nova and chosen Soleil instead. Soleil didn't know the whole story, luckily for her she had been away in the Maldives when her father and Seto Kaiba had met to work out the details of the marriage contract. But for whatever reason Kaiba had chosen her and not her older sister. Maybe it had something to do with the incredibly long stick Nova seemed to have constantly up her ass, or the staunchy attitude she seemed to have inherited from her mother. Whatever the reason Kaiba had picked Soleil and the sibling rivalry had become a burning hatred on Nova's part.

Luckily for her, Soleil only had to worry about Nova's jealousy. One Stryker she could handle, five was too much even for her. The eldest of the Stryker siblings, Hunter was indifferent about the whole affair, simply stating to his father to make sure Kaiba couldn't touch their trust funds. To which their father grudgingly pointed out was a very small fraction of the young CEO's vast fortune.

Nova, of course, was the most vocal of her displeasure with the whole affair. And why wouldn't she be? She was the one who got snubbed by one of the world's most eligible bachelors. Not to mention one of the most powerful men in the world. Something which Soleil clearly enjoyed pointing out to her dear sister.

The younger of the Stryker siblings, Orion and the twins; Astrid and Aurora, were mostly indifferent to their elder sister's marriage. Mostly to young to understand the entire ordeal. Orion was more interested in the games her husband to be had a hand in popularizing. And the twins, well, they were three, all they cared about was playing dress up and having tea parties with their imaginary friends. Much to their mother's chagrin.

It seemed everyone had an opinion on Soleil's upcoming nuptials, which although she hated the idea of marrying a man she clearly did not know simply to maintain an image, she agreed to. Why? It was simple. Seto Kaiba was the lesser of two evils. And she'd be far away from her family, all the way in Domino City, whilst they destroyed each other back at the manor.

At least the wedding was taking place in Japan, at the Tokyo Ritz-Carlton. Of course, this wedding would be nothing short of a glamorous, overpriced way of showing off the Stryker-Hawthorne wealth. Not to mention the prestige. It was her mother's way of trying to one up Seto Kaiba, and from what she had read about the guy, she had to say her mother was in way over her head. Seto Kaiba was on a level all his own and her mother would never be able to reach it.

All she wanted to do was get through the wedding and try to avoid her future husband's bad side, which apparently was very well known and very well documented. Hell, who knows, maybe they might even get along. She tried her hardest to ignore the little voice in the back of her head that kept telling her that was just wishful thinking on her part. Her gut wasn't much help either.

Soleil had little to no say in what her wedding would look like. Funny how when you married for someone else's interest you have no say. It was more than mildly annoying to say the least. still , as she kept reminding herself, this was the lesser of two evils. Hey, at least she got to pick out her wedding dress.

And that is how she found herself sitting in a makeup chair in the middle of the penthouse suite at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, while Mario dolled her up. For a bridal suite it was awkwardly empty and quiet. Of course, Corrine, her mother, hadn't allowed Soleil to invite any of her friends to the wedding.

"Only people who matter will be invited, Soleil." Her mother had spouted, already on her third glass of wine at 10 am.

She didn't argue with her mother, there was no point, this was a marriage of convenience and she was there to play a part. Nothing more nothing less. Sometimes it was hard for Soleil to decipher who was more angry that Kaiba had chosen her over Nova, her mother or her sister. Still, it didn't stop her from delivering those clever and further irritating both of them.

But Mario was nothing if not pleasant company, he always made her laugh and he hated her sister nearly as much as she did. How could she not get along with the guy? He understood her.

The only other people in the suite with her was a hotel provided assistant, at her mother's behest since she wouldn't be helping her daughter on the day of her wedding, and three of the troop of photographers that had been hired to document the entire event. And that didn't include the gaggle of paparazzi that was stationed outside the hotel and attempting to con their way in. What a preposterous idea. There was no way in hell Corrine Stryker-Hawthorne was ever going to busy herself with something so droll as bothering to help the daughter she was marrying off on the day of her wedding. Hence the assistant.

Still, at least she had Mario there to entertain her. Though if she were being honest with herself, she hadn't heard a single word that had come out of his mouth since he started doing her makeup over half an hour earlier. She paid no mind the the photographers constantly clicking away as if they were going to miss some grand event if they didn't spend every second pressing down on the shutter. They at least, were easy to tune out.

"There." Mario announced setting the finishing spray he had spritzed all over her onto the coffee table in front of him and gaining the reluctant bride's attention. "All finished!"

He practically shoved a handheld mirror into her hands, clearly proud of his work and anxious for her appraisal. And for the sake of his paycheck his approval. Soleil didn't have the heart to tell her that it wasn't her approval he'd need. If she had to make sure he got paid though, she would. She knew enough of her mother's ticks to get her way, with this anyways.

As usual, Soleil was born away with Mario's artistry as a makeup artist. Somehow he had managed to make her beauty look more natural than she knew it really was. If it hadn't been for the bright red lip and the half an hour she spent sitting in a chair Soleil would've believed he hadn't done much to her. The makeup looked natural and she was more than pleased with what she saw. Her highlight was blinding, but not obnoxiously so. Her brows weren't so done they looked like boxes drawn on her forehead. And her complexion looked as if it were made of porcelain.

"It's amazing, Mario." She beamed, finally happy with something on this wretched day.

Mario beamed at the praise and Soleil couldn't help but smirk. "Of course, knowing your work, I expected nothing less."

Mario returned the smirk, his glossed lips jutting out just enough to give him a more prominent pout, as he posed in front of her. "I only work with what's given to me darling." He drawled out in a fake French accent.

He tilted her chin up to inspect his work once more. "And you my dear, are perfection!" He professed throwing his arms high into the air and striking yet another dramatic pose. If anything, Mario was always ready for a photo op.

Try telling that to my mother, Soleil couldn't help but think. But she kept that to herself, couldn't say something snarky and then have it come out in the news the next day. She had an appearance to maintain, for her family, and soon enough for her husband's family.

She tried not to cringe at the idea of getting married. She was 19 for craps sake. She was supposed to be out partying, maybe going to college, figuring out what she wanted to be and what she wanted to do with her life. Not selling her life off to the highest bidder because it'll benefit her family's social status and wealth.

But, yet again here she was, on the 53rd floor of the Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo with her make up artist and an assistant helping her into her $40,000 custom Galia Lahav wedding gown. Photographers capturing every one of her movements to document the grandiose none of her friends around to help or witness this. In a way she was grateful for that, they wouldn't be subjected to see her misery. In another way, she felt bitter that they hadn't disregarded her mother's orders. But they wouldn't dare put their positions and power in open rebellion against Corrine Stryker-Hawthorne. Most of her friends parents depended on hers for their positions, everything from Senators, to business heads, to celebrities. Her parents had their hands in everything and they had everyone in their pockets.

Everyone except Seto Kaiba, another reason why she had agreed to the marriage.

Still her silent bridal suite was a lot better than having to deal with her parents. Or anyone of her family really.

If she had to guess her parents would be in their suite arguing with each other about her father's latest affair, who he had most likely invited to the reception. Charles would be doing his best to ignore his wife, getting dressed and keeping as much distance from her as physically possible. While Corrine marched on after him in her expensive designer heels, practically screaming, and clinging onto either a gin and tonic or a white russian, or even a glass of scotch depending on how angry she was.

The youngest of her siblings were probably in their own suite being looked after by their nannies, seeing as how their parents were clearly incapable and very uninterested in their children.

Hunter was probably burying himself into whatever hook up he had managed to convince to come to Japan. He'd probably drop her after the wedding and venture to find some local flavor. Maybe even one of the daughters of the CEOs her mother had made sure to invite to the reception.

Her grandparents, both from her mother and father's side, would probably be trying to avoid each other like the plague. Just because their children got married does not mean they got along. To be honest they barely tolerated their own children, why would they tolerate each other? Elizabeth Hawthorne-Abbot would probably be off at the bar chugging back martinis like it was nobody's business. Matthew Hawthorne would be away in the lounge smoking cigars and constantly checking on his investments and stocks.

While Harriet Stryker-Lowell and William Stryker holed themselves up in their suite and generally just being horrible human beings. Thankfully away from the public.

Nova was probably pissed off and destroying her suite. Most likely taking out all the anger and frustration that she could before the days events began. She had to make sure to be the epitome of Stryker perfection, a true lady. She had to show that she was the better of the elder Stryker daughters. Anything to distract from the fact that she had been passed up by one of the richest men on the planet. That she hadn't been good enough and the sister she loathed had.

Soleil would bet that her sister would spend the night drinking. Nova was nothing if not another version of their mother in the making. She was going to have a miserable life if she continued on the path she was on.

Shaking away the thoughts of her family, Soleil turned her attention to the custom gown hanging on the door to her room. It was a true work of art, she had to admit, the design team had more than outdone themselves with her dress. The dress itself was the whitest of whites it could possibly be, a sheer chiffon and tulle mix meant to seem more sheer than it was, with a nude slip cleverly hidden in the more "inappropriate" of parts. A plunging v-neck that Corrine would absolutely hate like there was no tomorrow. She'd deem it whorish no doubt. But at this point Soleil couldn't find it in her to care at all what her mother thought of her.

As she inspected it more she caught glimpses of the Swarovski crystal shimmering in the light. Small flower embellishments were also present, though she really had to lean in to be able to see them. All in all it was utter perfection, her dream wedding dress, or well one of them after all. When it came to fashion Soleil tended to change her mind more often than not.

Mario and her assistant, Aiko, both helped her into her dress. Aiko zipping and adjusting where need be, whilst Mario fixed her dark chocolate curls into the custom Cartier, sun tiara bejeweled with rubies, white and pink diamonds, and pearls. Another one of her mother's brilliant ideas to show of the family's ostentatious wealth. She rolled her eyes at the intent behind the ridiculous piece of jewelry she'd never be able to wear again, but she did appreciate its beauty.

Soleil barely heard the knock on the door, luckily Aiko ever the diligent assistant was quick to attend to whoever was there. All she heard was a small squeak and thundering footsteps, followed by the hurried clicking of heels.

"We need to talk." A gruff voice rang out, taking instant command of the space.

Soleil wasn't even slightly surprised to find Seto Kaiba standing just feet away from her, icy eyes boring into her frame.

Not knowing what to say, her amber eyes bore into his sapphire colored ones. "It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." It was the first thing that popped into her head.

She tried to be unnerved by his sudden appearance, but he was a lot closer than he had ever been. And from this distance it was hard for her to deny that the man was good looking. Ridiculously good looking if she were being honest with herself. Still she ignored the way her face began to heat up and the sudden butterflies in her stomach. But pride forbid her from looking away, a Stryker never backed down.

Kaiba made no acknowledgement of her comment, instead he turned to Aiko and Mario. "Leave us." He ordered.

Both Mario and Aiko quickly glanced at Soleil, unsure of what to do. The Stryker heiress quickly nodded, effectively dismissing her two helpers. Her eyes remaining locked onto his.

Kaiba waited until they were both gone before turning to his… wife. The word still didn't feel right, even in the privacy of his own head.

He took in her appearance, beautiful as expected, but he wasn't easily swayed by a woman's beauty. He would never admit how tantalizing he found the color of her lips in that moment. His own mind refused to acknowledge it. Still she was a vision, and anyone in attendance to this ordeal would be rolling in jealousy. She would make a great Kaiba in the long run.

"Nice dress choice." It was as close to a compliment as he'd give her.

It was more than she was expecting, honestly. "Thanks."

Kaiba made a minor nod of acknowledgement. "I hope you do realize there are certain expectations you'd have to uphold once the ceremony is complete." It wasn't a question, it was an order.

Soleil couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I know what is expected of me." She scoffed. "I'm a Stryker, people have been expecting things from since the moment I was conceived."

Plopping down onto the plush sofa she slipped into the custom Christian Louboutin pumps she'd ordered. Another obnoxious show of wealth, one she wouldn't complain about.

"Very well," He acquiesced, seating himself regally into the armchair across from her. "Fortunately my expectations of you weren't what I wished to discuss."

Crossing one leg over the other he continued to watch as she put the finishing touches to her ensemble, a few Cartier bracelets, some earrings, and even the necklace he had commissioned for her. A Niwaka original, choker piece made with white gold and adorned with diamonds. He had gotten the idea grudgingly enough from Maximillion Pegasus himself.

"Then?" She asked staring at him with guarded curiosity. "Why are you here?"

"Simply to inform you that our honeymoon has been postponed." He watched her carefully, wanting to see exactly how she would take the news. "I have some business to attend to back in Domino, we will be heading there tonight after the reception." Kaiba glanced down at his watch, only five minutes to go until their impending marriage.

"We better get going, don't want to keep our guests waiting." He stood, more gracefully than should be humanly possible, and held his hand out to her.

Soleil could feel the warmth spreading across her cheek, the man could be cold but he was sure handsome. Still she didn't hesitate in taking his hand, no better time than the present to begin the rest of their lives.

This was going to be interesting.