Chapter 27: No Need for Weddings


Everyone arrived to a multicolored planet with intersecting rings surrounding it. The surface looked like Earth, but advanced with houses that looked like tiny domes and the Juraians wore similar garb to Ayeka and Sasami for the women and Azusa and Yosho for the men. Upon landing, guards wearing similar garbs with the heightened shoulder guards approached Azusa as he emerged with his wives and daughters. "Lord Azusa!" one guard addressed. "We received your message!"

"Is it true?" another guard questioned. "Your daughter's getting married?"

"You heard correctly," Azusa confirmed. "We will conduct the ceremony in three days! Do I make myself clear?"

"CRYSTAL, SIR!" the guards accepted. While the House of Masaki organized themselves, those visiting were eager to see what Jurai had to offer. From inside Ryo-Ohki, the Trainers, Pokémon and Delia awed the landscape and people below.

"This place is incredible!" awed Ash.

"Yeah, it feels like another Earth down there!" agreed Misty.

"If Princess Ayeka is from here, I can only imagine what the girls from Jurai will be like!" trembled Brock.

"You know, you never came after me after arriving!" pointed out Ryoko.

"I was holding him back from that!" snorted Misty. The Pokémon couldn't wait to make landfall. Ryo-Ohki landed before those inside disembarked. People in robes came by to welcome the new visitors.

"Welcome to Jurai, young Earthlings," one man with a goatee greeted. "Oh, and welcome back, Washu." The philosopher smiled to the greeting.

"It does feel good to come back after so long," she smiled. "However, it's not my time in the spotlight."

"Of course not," another Juraian acknowledged. "Word is, one of Lord Azusa's daughters is getting married."

"And she's marrying me," Ash proclaimed. The news made the Juraians nod.

"He's described you to the letter," a Juraian woman confirmed. "Lord Azusa has instructed us to give you a temporary housing upon your wedding." They led the Trainers to a large hut as Juraian children surrounded the trainers as they eyed the Pokémon. The boys played with Pikachu while the girls played with Togepi before the Trainers brought out the rest of the Pokémon for them to play and interact with. As the days go on, Juraians came to Ash to measure his dimensions. "In the meantime, I can escort you to get fitted for yukatas for the upcoming wedding. Now, are anyone of you related to the groom?" Delia rose her hand.

"I'm his mother," she claimed. There were some mutterings.

"Trust us, she is Ash's mother," Brock repeated.

"The rest of us are just friends," Pietra added. "Brock and Misty know her longer than the rest of us."

"We're not disputing your claim," one more Juraian man assured. "We're just amazed at how young she is. I don't see any wrinkles on her."

"Well, the women in my family don't get wrinkles until they're 55, so I have a long way to go," Delia joked. The Juraians laughed.

"Neither do us Juraians for a long time," the Juraian woman giggled. "I'll have the mother fitted with a special yukata while the others get fitted with other styles." They journeyed to where Tenchi and Brock entered with Ash and Pikachu into one house while the women entered another house. The boys and Pokémon watched Ash be fitted with a black robe-like jacket under a black robe, similar to Yosho's attire. Tenchi and Brock wore similar robes and jackets, but in blue.

"These must be the haori jackets," Tenchi recognized. "Ash's has the crests and a vertical stripe on his hakama to indicate that he's the groom." He pointed to the skirt-like trouser.

"That'll make it easy to tell them apart," Brock noted. After seeing the size of the haori and hakama on Ash, the Juraians had the measurements ready to tailor fit it. A couple of days after arriving, it was wedding day. At the House of Masaki, Sasami was being fitted in a white kimono, an outer robe and a headdress that looped around her head. There were flowers on them. Misaki and Funaho placed makeup over Sasami's face. In the other house, Ash took deep breaths. All of the moments on Earth with Sasami, from the first meeting after Ash and Pikachu were detoured and through everything from learning how to cook from each other, to sending Team Rocket into a portal where they're trapped, to Sasami's rescue from Dr. Clay and Kagato.

"Are you ready?" asked Tenchi. Ash was gowned in the special haori and hamaka while Pikachu perched on his shoulder.

"Okay, but you'll be with Mom when we meet up," Ash instructed.

("Not a problem,") Pikachu squeaked. They exited where they met up with Ryoko, Washu, Delia, Misty, Pietra and Togepi. The women wore different yukatas with Delia matching colors with Ash.

"Hey!" greeted Ryoko.

"Hey, yourself!" greeted Brock. "I guess we're escorting Ash to the ceremony?"

"That's right," Washu agreed. "We're going to meet Sasami part-way before we reach the house. It's how weddings start here."

"It is, huh?" pondered Brock. "I'm more of a traditional wedding person, waiting for the bride at the alter."

"True, but this is more to a Japanese-style Shinto wedding that still happens in the majority of the country," Tenchi briefed. Ash looked to the side, seeing the landscape the mountains formed.

"I'm someone who doesn't want to stay in one place for a while," he admitted. "But… there's something about Jurai that the more I see… the more I feel like I belong here." Looking at the mountains, Misty understood Ash's confession.

"Jurai can do that to those visiting for the first time," Ryoko nodded.

"It does feel like a good retirement spot," Misty added.

"No way!" denied Delia. "I'm happy with living in Pallet Town. I don't want to move because of a beautiful new world!" Everyone laughed to Delia's refusal. Azaka came by to discuss the proceeding.

"Azaka?" noticed Ash.

"Are we ready to proceed to the Royal Trees?" asked Azaka. The groom and party blinked to the location.

"The… Royal… Trees?" repeated Misty.

"There was a discussion with Lord Azusa about the wedding," Azaka informed. "It's also a special place for Princess Sasami." Ash didn't mind the change. A couple of flying vehicles came by. "Ash, Mrs. Ketchum, you can board with me. The others will get situated before the bride and groom." Accepting, Delia, Ash and Pikachu boarded one vehicle while the rest boarded the other. The riders arrived at by a series of trees on a mountain which the outer area was surrounded by fog and clouds. Arriving, Delia, Ash and Pikachu disembarked and met with another vehicle, Misaki riding inside with Sasami. She emerged with her kimono and thick socks wearing under platform sandals. Ash slightly blushed at seeing his bride.

"Sasami…" he awed.

"You look great," Sasami remarked.

"You look great no matter what." The comeback made Sasami blush. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah!" Pikachu stepped to the front, only to be tackled by Ryo-Ohki. Pikachu recovered before deciding on an idea. Gesturing to the path and the couple and their mothers, Pikachu wanted to lead the march. Ryo-Ohki awed and mewed in agreement.

"Seems Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki want to lead us," Misaki noticed.

"That's cute," Delia giggled. Lead on!" Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki accepted and hopped forward as they traveled to the trees. Along the way, many Juraians greeted the couple on their way to their wedding. They also met the mothers, honoring Misaki and praising Delia.

"Was it Tsunami who wanted to have our wedding by the Royal Trees?" asked Ash.

"She did," Sasami confirmed. "I actually liked the idea."

"Same here." He took a deep breath. "Are you nervous?" Sasami nodded, having Ash hold her hand. "I'm here… It'll be alright." They reached the largest tree in Jurai.

"Here it is, the Royal Tree." They all approached as families, friends and other Juraians came to Azusa. Funaho was at one side as Misaki joined on the other side. There was a woman wearing a basket-like headdress holding a rod that had paper-like zigzag designs, waiving the rod with his back to the couple. She wore a white jacket over a kimono and red hakama pants. Delia stood by Misty and Brock as Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki watched with Togepi while Sasami's friends and sister were on the other side, all standing behind barriers.

"I still think this is a bit sudden for Ash," Misty muttered under her breath. "And with a girl we only knew about!" Delia hardly palmed Misty's shoulder. Misty didn't turn around but did feel the stern glare from Ash's mother. The woman gave the rod to Ash who waived it toward the front. After a few seconds, Ash handed the rod to Sasami who waived it a few times. After handing it back, another Juraian helping with the wedding presented a small saucer before pouring a liquid into it within Ash's hands. He took a few sips before it was passed to Sasami who took a few sips.

"Juraian folk and Earthling folk," Azusa addressed. "Today, we are here to see the marriage of Ash Ketchum… and my daughter, Princess Sasami Masaki Jurai. Allow me to set the stage as how Ash and Sasami met to this moment at hand. My daughters followed a distress signal that brought them to Earth. Since then, they stayed and looked after another youth. In the meantime, Ash and his friends; Misty Waterflower, Brock Harrison, Pietra Medici and their Pokémon friends; Pikachu, Togepi, Rhydon and others in clearing a path to help Pietra's grandmother in her medical struggle Ash and Pikachu were thrown into a detour and wound up meeting with Sasami. Since then, they've worked and helped together through the various needs. It was only then that they were attacked by a heretic in Philosopher Clay, which I bore witness to. The bravery of Ash ebbed the tide of battle and he became the one who earned the hand… and heart of my daughter. Ash, do you have any vows to make?" Ash took a deep breath.

"I do," he answered. "Sasami, I didn't know what love was until the cave-in Pikachu and I nearly were crushed under brought me to you and Ryo-Ohki. The moment I saw you, it was an emotion that I never thought I'd learn so soon in life, but the more I spent time with you, the more I began to understand what I was going through. You taught me how to cook, how to enjoy life more… most importantly, how to love. It's not that I didn't love Pikachu or Bayleef or Noctowl… but I learned to expand on love, even to Ryoko, Washu… What's most important for me is that here I am… with the love of my life… one I never started to look for, but the one I finally found."

"And that goes the same for me," Sasami agreed. "Ever since the moment Ryo-Ohki found you and then I did, all I ever thought about was to be there for you. I was fine enough being with my sister and the friends who came to Yosho's home on Earth… or at least before you came. Ever since, I couldn't stay away. I thought of myself as a magnet to you since I wanted to understand you more. What was it about you that I can't stay away from? Why am I so attached? Why do I no longer have feelings for Tenchi?" She giggled at the last question. "Maybe that last question wasn't as accurate. I still want to love him, but not as much as you now. I was happy to not only offer you my cooking, but to teach you what I know. I was happy not only to spend time with you, but to know what it is that made me love you. I was happy not only that you found me after Dr. Clay and Kagato kidnapped me, but to know that you saved my life. What else could it be, that I'll be happy not only that you keep promises you make, but fulfill them? Because… I would do the same on my behalf." Satisfied, Azusa turned to Delia.

"Mrs. Ketchum, do you have a word?" the Lord asked.

"While I'm not as familiar to this family or race as my son is," Delia started. "Seeing Sasami with my Ash in love, I couldn't have asked for a sweeter, kinder, gentler and thoughtful partner for Ash to have as a wife. I do admit that while they're still young, these are memories they're making that will last a lifetime. I do harp on Ash about his habits, but while I can be a bit stern, knowing that he found love in front of my eyes shows his maturity and heart in the moment. Their vows showed the power of their bonds which I know won't break. Lord Azusa, by offering Ash to Sasami, it will give him something that he's never had in his life: a father." Azusa smiled to the mentioning.

"I mean, I could've been a little nicer if he hadn't taken my-" started Misty before Washu used a remote to shock her. She fell.

"She'll be fine," Washu promised as there was a tiny device taped to Misty's yukata under the flap.

"Anyway... Misaki?" addressed Azusa.

"There is… not much for me to say as well," Misaki muttered as Misty slowly recovered. "When I met Ash, I fell in love with him, wishing to be his mother. Just imagine that today, in front of the Royal Tree, my wish is becoming true. It's not much but being here and with friends and family makes the entire event all the worthwhile." Azusa nodded as the woman in the basket-like hat stood in front of Ash and Sasami while Funaho presented rings.

"Presented to the bride and groom are the rings selected by Lord Azusa," she informed. "These rings will grow while you grow. They are of a Juraian ore and imbued with the power of Tsunami. Ash, by taking the ring and slipping it to the finger of Sasami, are you willing to take her as your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part under the guise of the Goddess Tsunami?" Ash slipped the finger on Sasami's finger.

"With all my heart," he replied. Sasami grabbed the other ring.

"Princess Sasami," the woman called. "By taking the ring and slipping it to the finger of Ash, are you willing to take him as your husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part under the guise of the Goddess Tsunami?" Sasami slipped the ring on Ash's finger.

"Forever and ever," she replied.

"Let it be known that these two have dedicated their lives to being together for each other," the woman addressed. "The ceremony is concluded as now, the two are recognized as husband and wife. Welcome as a new member of the House of Masaki, Ash Ketchum. Welcome to the Ketchum family, Princess Sasami Masaki Jurai. You have each other, congratulations." Ash and Sasami kissed to the cheers of everyone. A celebration occurred as Juraians danced for the new couple. Misaki and Ash hugged each other, a mother gaining a son. Delia hugged Sasami, gaining a daughter. As the couple watched Juraians dancing, Sasami turned to Delia.

"Um, Mrs. Ketchum?" she asked. Delia seemed a little startled by Sasami's call. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Delia accepted as she knelt to her new daughter-in-law. Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki joined in the dancing. "But don't forget, you're also Mrs. Ketchum now… and since you're now my daughter-in-law, you can call me mom if you like." Sasami had a giggle as Ash giggled to his Pokémon dancing.

"Good point. Anyway… mom… I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Could you teach me some of the recipes you've cooked for Ash at home? I wanna learn lots of new yummy recipes if I'm going to be a good wife for Ash now that we're married. Is there a chance to teach me at some time?" The request made Delia smile.

"Oh, Sasami… I'd be more than happy to teach you!" The acceptance made Sasami cheer. "But I want you to promise me something." Now, Sasami became curious.

"What's the promise?"

"I don't just want you to cook for Ash… I want you to be a great cook… even better than me."

"Really?" The gasp made Delia nod.

"I know I won't be around forever, so I want you to cook your heart out so that someday, Ash will consider your cooking even better than my own. Can you do that?" The promise had Sasami beam a smile.

"You can count on me, mom!" They hugged each other. After the reception, Ash and Sasami were given a place to stay. Ash carried Sasami in his arms while Pikachu, Togepi and Ryo-Ohki joined after Sasami wished to have Togepi for the night. As Ash had picked her up into his arms, Sasami's sandals and thick socks came off her feet, now bare. He laid her gently in bed while they kissed once more. Soon, Ash joined after taking off the jacket from the kimono. "Our first night together as husband and wife."

"I never thought it would be as big as it was," Ash admitted. "I mean, Ryoko pointed out that newlywed couples do… something after they're husband and wife… but I'm not ready for that yet."

"Neither will I."

"By the way, what was mom talking about to you? It seemed like something to look forward to."

"I asked if she could teach me some more cooking techniques. I promised her that I would be a great cook."

"Oh? Now, I'm looking more forward to that." They laughed as did Ryo-Ohki and the Pokémon. They fell asleep as Pikachu, Togepi and Ryo-Ohki joined the newlyweds. Soon enough, it will back to Earth. At least with Ash, he's got a permanent member of his family.


TO BE CONCLUDED...